8 Or “desert.”
9 While Matthew and Luke consistently use the noun βαπτίστης (baptistēs, “[the] Baptist”) to refer to John, as a kind of a title, Mark prefers the substantival participle ὁ βαπτίζων (ho baptizōn, “the one who baptizes, the baptizer”) to describe him (only twice does he use the noun [Mark 6:25; 8:28]).
10 A baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins was a call for preparation for the arrival of the Lord’s salvation. To participate in this baptism was a recognition of the need for God’s forgiveness with a sense that one needed to live differently as a response to it.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

John came baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

NLTNew Living Translation

This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

John was there baptizing in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

KJV 1900King James Version

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

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