Mark 1:4 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

⁴ John [the Immerser] came immersing people in the desert and proclaiming that those immersed on the basis of their repentance would receive the forgiveness of sins [from God].

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

⁴ John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

⁴ John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness (desert), preaching a baptism [obligating] repentance (a change of one's mind for the better, heartily amending one's ways, with abhorrence of his past sins) in order to obtain forgiveness of and release from sins.

American Standard Version (1901)

⁴ John came, who baptized in the wilderness and preached the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins.

Common English Bible

⁴ John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins.

Catholic Public Domain Version

⁴ John was in the desert, baptizing and preaching a baptism of repentance, as a remission of sins.

Mark 1:4 Cross References

John 3:23

John [the Immerser] was also immersing people in Aenon, near Salem [Note: These locations are thought to have been in northeastern Judea, near the Jordan River], because there was a lot of water there; so people were coming to be immersed.

Matthew 3:6

and people were immersed by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.

Luke 1:77

And [you will] provide the knowledge of salvation to His people, by [granting them] the forgiveness of their sins

Acts 22:16

So now, what are you waiting for? Get up and be immersed [into Christ], and have your sins washed away as you appeal to His name [i.e., to Christ's authority].’

Acts 10:37

You yourselves know [all this, and] how this message was proclaimed throughout Judea, having begun from Galilee after the preaching of the immersion [taught and practiced] by John.

Matthew 3:11

“I certainly am immersing you in water following [your] repentance, but the One who follows me [i.e., in my ministry], whose sandals I do not deserve to remove [as His slave], will immerse you people with the Holy Spirit and with fire [i.e., the punishment in hell. See verses 10 and 12].

Mark 1:5

And people from throughout all the regions of Judea and all of Jerusalem went out to John [in the desert]. And he immersed them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.