Mark 1:5, commentary and pictures

Mark 1:5 belongs to the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, describing John's ministry of baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. John was appointed by God to the great work of preparing the way of the Lord, for which no earthly school could fit him. His learning therefore had to be obtained away from the cities, in the wilderness, with the Old Testament Scriptures, God, and the nature God created as his study books, his food simply locusts and wild honey, and the customs and practices of men were not to be his education, while worldly engrossment was to have no part in the formation of his character. His preaching fearlessly denounced the people's wrongdoing, which they were reluctant to hear, yet they came to him in response to it.

His earnest preaching and courageous warnings drew intense interest, and his fame spread throughout the land as people came out to him in the wilderness from towns, cities, and villages, from all the land of Judea and from Jerusalem. People of every rank came confessing their sins and receiving baptism in response to his call in order to share in the kingdom he announced. Many repented in response to his preaching and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins, as a sign and evidence of cleansing from sin and repentance. Their baptism declared that even those who claimed to be God's chosen people were defiled by sin and needed purified hearts and lives to share in the Messiah's kingdom. This baptismal work was part of the preparation for Christ's ministry.

Some scribes and Pharisees confessed and sought baptism without genuine conviction of sin, hoping instead to gain favor with the coming Prince and to strengthen their influence among the people. Baptism alone is not sufficient, for those who have been baptized also need the Holy Ghost.