Mark 1:4-11

Mark 1:4-11

4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey. 7 And he was preaching, and saying, "After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. 8 "I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

9 The Baptism of Jesus


In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; 11 and a voice came out of the heavens: " You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased."
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Mark 1:4-11 Exposition

4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Before Jesus Began his public ministry, John the baptist was preaching an baptizing in the wilderness. His purpose, as the text tells us in the verse previous, Mark 1:2 and 3 is to fulfill prophesy,

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

"BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU,
WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;
3 THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS,
'MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD,
MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.'"
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His baptism was similar to the Jewish practice contemporary with his ministry of the mikvah bath which was a ceremonial washing by immersion. Johns baptism was an act done by those who heard his message and call for repentance in preparation for the coming messiah. John called the people to repentance, reminding them that they were unprepared for the “day of the Lord” and needed the forgiveness that God offered. Baptism was a sign of ones acceptance of this promise.

It is important to note that John's baptism was one of repentance where baptism either “in Jesus Name” (Acts 19:5) or “in the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit”(Matthew 28:19) is a baptism not of preparation to receive the promise but a sign of identification with Jesus as Messiah and Lord.. (Galatians 3:27, Romans 6:3, and by contrast 1 Corinthians 1:13.)

5 And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

Certainly we are not to believe that everyone came to him for baptism but that seemingly everyone, a great number of people, sought out John to hear his message and were baptized by him after confessing their sins.

6 John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey.

Johns unique calling as well as his reliance on God in his ministry was marked by his strange and at the same time, simple, attire, and diet. He lived in the wilderness and wore coarse clothing rather than the finer showier vestments of the religious leaders of the day. People came out to him. He did not have to try to attract his audience. His diet of locusts and wild honey was a part of his reliance on God while in the wilderness, eating the food God in nature had provided, as given and not going out with plans and provisions. Johns ministry was one that was ordained by God and directed by God's leading and not John's calculated efforts to win the masses. Jesus would later contrast His style of ministry with John's, not to elevate one over the other but to show that no matter how one lived in obeying God those who oppose God's agenda will always criticize and ignore the message for their offense at the messenger. (Matthew 11:16-19)

7 And he was preaching, and saying, "After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.

John knew his place as the herald of the Messiah. He knew that even as his reputation was growing he would worthy of no praise when compared with the Messiah to come. John Himself would attempt to refuse to baptize Jesus because of this, but Jesus would encourage Him to do it, affirming Johns message by submitting to Baptism by John. (Matthew 3:14 and 15)

8 "I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Jesus superiority to John was no only in rank as Son of God compared with anointed messenger, but also in the gift he could give. John gave a sign of the promise of forgiveness. Jesus would give new life, a transformed nature, the indwelling Spirit of God, and the Spirit's own gifts and fruit equipping each recipient to live life as God intends. John's baptism, while important, pales by contrast; a fact that John readily admits.

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

Leaving out John's refusal as I highlighted before. Mark simply related that Jesus came and was baptized. This sentence leads to the next and highlights Mark's purpose in demonstrating that Jesus is the one John had spoken about.

10 Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him;

Whether other witnesses saw this or not, it is clear that John did and it fulfilled a promise that God had communicated to John, namely it showed to John that Jesus was the promised one. The Gospel of John (John 1:29-34) lets us know that this act was John's confirmation of Jesus' identity.

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 "This is He on behalf of whom I said, ' After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.' 31 "I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water." 32 John testified saying, " I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 "I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, 'He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.' 34 "I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God."
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11 and a voice came out of the heavens: " You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased."

The voice of God confirms the crux of our faith. Jesus is no mere teacher or good man or even superior prophet. He is the Son of God, worthy of our faith and worship. It is with this confirmation that Jesus begins his ministry.
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