www.bible.com/114/mrk.1.2-4.nkjv

Notes from John MacArthur Study Bible.

1:2 it is written. A phrase commonly used in the NT to introduce OT quotes (cf. 7:6 ; 9:13 ; 14:21 , 27 ; Mt 2:5 ; 4:4 , 6 , 7 ; Lk 2:23 ; 3:4 ; Jn 6:45 ; 12:14 ; Ac 1:20 ; 7:42 ; Ro 3:4 ; 8:36 ; 1Co 1:31 ; 9:9 ; 2Co 8:15 ; 9:9 ; Gal 3:10 ; 4:22 ; Heb 10:7 ; 1Pe 1:16 ). in Isaiah the prophet. Mark’s quote is actually from two OT passages ( Is 40:3 ; Mal 3:1 ), which probably explains the reading “the Prophets” found in some manuscripts. The gospels all introduce John the Baptist’s ministry byquoting Is 40:3 (cf. Mt 3:3 ; Lk 3:4 ; Jn 1:23 ). M Y MESSENGER . John was the divinely-promised messenger, sent to prepare the way for the Messiah. In ancient times, a king’s envoys would travel ahead of him, making sure the roads were safe and fit for him totravel on, as well as announcing his arrival. † 1:4 John. A common Jewish name in NT times, it is the Gr. equivalent of the Heb. name “Johanan” (cf. 2Ki 25:23 ; 1Ch 3:15 ; Jer 40:8 ), meaning “the Lord is gracious.” John’s name was given by the angel Gabriel to hisfather Zacharias, during his time of priestly service in the temple ( Lk 1:13 ). His mother, Elizabeth, also a descendant of Aaron ( Lk 1:5 ), was a relative of Mary the mother of Jesus ( Lk 1:36 ). As the last OT prophet and the divinely ordained forerunner of the Messiah ( see note on v. 2 ), John wasthe culmination of OT history and prophecy ( Lk 16:16 ) as well as the beginning of the historical record of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not surprisingly, Jesus designated John as the greatest man who had lived until his time ( Mt 11:11 ). baptism. Being the distinctivemark of John’s ministry, his baptism differed from the ritual Jewish washings in that it was a one-time act. The Jews performed a similar one-time washing of Gentile proselytes, symbolizing their embracing of the true faith. That Jews would participate insuch a rite was a startling admission that they, although members of God’s covenant people, needed to come to God through repentance and faith just like Gentiles. in the wilderness. The desolate, arid region between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea ( see note on Mt 3:1baptism of repentance. A baptism resulting from true repentance. John’s ministry was to call Israel to repentance in preparation for the coming of Messiah. Baptism did not produce repentance, but was its result (cf. Mt 3:7 , 8 ). Far more than a mere change of mind orremorse, repentance involves a turning from sin to God (cf. 1Th 1:9 ), which results in righteous living. Genuine repentance is a work of God in the human heart ( Ac 11:18 ). For a discussion of the nature of repentance, see notes on 2Co 7:9–12 . for theforgiveness of sins. John’s rite of baptism did not produce forgiveness of sin ( see notes on Ac 2:38 ; 22:16 ); it was only the outward confession and illustration of the true repentance that results in forgiveness (cf. Lk 24:47 ; Ac 3:19 ; 5:31 ; 2Co 7:10