Mark 1 · Verse 4

Mark 1:4

John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Mark 1:4, King James Version

Mark 1:4 in other translations

BSBJohn the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
WEBJohn came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.
ASVJohn came, who baptized in the wilderness and preached the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins.
YLTJohn came baptizing in the wilderness, and proclaiming a baptism of reformation--to remission of sins,
DARBYThere came John baptising in the wilderness, and preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins.
BBEJohn came, and gave baptism in the waste land, preaching baptism as a sign of forgiveness of sin for those whose hearts were changed.
WebsterJohn was baptizing in the wilderness, and preaching the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins.

What does Mark 1:4 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verse 4.

(d) "John did" Mt 3:1, Lk 3:3, Jn 3:23 (1) "baptism of repentance" or, "unto repentance" (e) "remission of sins" Acts 22:16

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 John - The original name is nearly lost in the Greek Ιωαννης, and in the Latin Johannes, and almost totally so in the English John. The original name is יהוחנן Yehochanan, compounded of יהוה חנן Yehovah chanan, the grace or mercy of Jehovah: a most proper and significant name for the forerunner of the God of All Grace. It was John's business to proclaim the Gospel of the grace of God, and to point out that Lamb or sacrifice of God which takes away the sin of the world. For the remission of sins - Or, toward the remission - εις αφεσιν. They were to repent, and be baptized in reference to the remission of sins. Repentance prepared the soul for it, and Baptism was the type or pledge of it. See on Mat 3:2 (note).

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Mark 1:1-8

Isaiah and Malachi each spake concerning the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in the ministry of John. From these prophets we may observe, that Christ, in his gospel, comes among us, bringing with him a treasure of grace, and a sceptre of government. Such is the corruption of the world, that there is great opposition to his progress. When God sent his Son into the world, he took care, and when he sends him…

Read the full comment on Mark 1:1-8 →

Mark 1:4 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἘγένετοEgenetoCameG1096
ἸωάννηςIōannēsJohnG2491
βαπτίζωνbaptizōnis baptizingG907
ἐνeninG1722
τῇtēatheG3588
ἐρήμῳerēmōwildernessG2048
καὶkaiandG2532
κηρύσσωνkērussōnproclaimingG2784
βάπτισμαbaptisma[a] baptismG908
μετανοίαςmetanoiasof repentanceG3341
εἰςeisforG1519
ἄφεσινaphesinforgivenessG859
ἁμαρτιῶν.hamartiōnof sins.G266

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Mark 1:4

  • Acts 19:3-4

    And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

  • Matthew 3:6

    And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

  • Acts 13:24-25

    When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

  • John 3:23

    And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

  • Matthew 3:1-2

    In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

  • Luke 3:2-3

    Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

  • Luke 1:77

    To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

  • Acts 22:16

    And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

  • Matthew 3:11

    I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

  • Acts 10:37

    That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
did.
Mt 3:1,2,6,11; Lu 3:2,3; Joh 3:23; Ac 10:37; 13:24,25; 19:3,4
for. or, unto. remission.
Ac 22:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Mark 1:3

    The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

  • Mark 1:4

    John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

  • Mark 1:5

    And there went out unto him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

Read all of Mark 1

Mark 1:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Bautizaba Juan en el desierto, y predicaba el bautismo del arrepentimiento para remisión de pecados.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Jean vint, baptisant dans le désert, et prêchant le baptême de repentance en rémission de péchés.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Johannes kam und taufte in der Wüste und predigte die Taufe der Buße zur Vergebung der Sünden.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Fuit Joannes in deserto baptizans, et prædicans baptismum pœnitentiæ in remissionem peccatorum.