MARK 1:4 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=minor/spelling Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT John came, the one baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.

UST Now there was a man whose name was John. He baptized people in a desolate area. He proclaimed that people should allow him to baptize them. That would show that they were going to stop doing what was wrong. That way, God would forgive their sins.

BSB John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching [a] baptism of repentance for [the] forgiveness of sins.

MSB John came baptizing[fn] in the wilderness, preaching [a] baptism of repentance for [the] forgiveness of sins.

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

AICNT John {the baptizer appeared}[fn] in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

1:4, the baptizer appeared: Some manuscripts read “came baptizing.”

OEB John the Baptiser appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism on repentance, for the forgiveness of sins.

WEBBE John came baptising[fn] in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.

1:4 or, immersing

WMBB Yochanan came immersing[fn] in the wilderness and proclaiming the immersion of repentance for forgiveness of sins.

1:4 or, immersing

NET In the wilderness John the baptizer began preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

LSV John came immersing in the wilderness, and proclaiming an immersion of conversion for forgiveness of sins,

FBV John came, baptizing in the desert, announcing a baptism of repentance[fn] for the forgiveness of sins.

1:4 Repentance means a “change of mind,” but here also reflects the Old testament prophets' call to return to the Lord as his people and to renounce false religious ideas and evil practices.

TCNT § John [fn]came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

1:4 came baptizing in the wilderness and 98.2% ¦ the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, NA TH 0.4% • SBL WH 0.2%

T4T The messenger that Isaiah predicted was John. People called him ‘The Baptizer’. In the desolate area near the Jordan River he kept telling people, “If you want God to forgive you for having sinned, you must turn away from your sinful behavior before you ask me to baptize you.”

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

1:4 Some manuscripts have “and proclaiming”

BBE John came, and gave baptism in the waste land, preaching baptism as a sign of forgiveness of sin for those whose hearts were changed.

Moff John appeared baptizing in the desert and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

Wymth So John the Baptizer came, and was in the Desert proclaiming a baptism of the penitent for forgiveness of sins.

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

DRA John was in the desert baptizing, and preaching the baptism of penance, unto remission of sins.

YLT John came baptizing in the wilderness, and proclaiming a baptism of reformation — to remission of sins,

Drby There came John baptising in the wilderness, and preaching [the] baptism of repentance for remission of sins.

RV John came, who baptized in the wilderness and preached the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins.
(John came, who baptised in the wilderness and preached the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins. )

SLT John was immersing in the desert, and proclaiming the immersion of repentance for the remission of sins.

Wbstr John was baptizing in the wilderness, and preaching the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins.

KJB-1769 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
(John did baptise in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. )

KJB-1611 Iohn did baptize in the wildernesse, and preach the baptisme of repentance, [fn]for the remission of sinnes.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation and footnotes)

1:4 Or, vnto.

Bshps Iohn did baptize in the wyldernesse, and preached the baptisme of repentaunce, for the remission of sinnes.
(Yohn did baptise in the wilderness, and preached the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins.)

Gnva Iohn did baptize in the wildernesse, and preach the baptisme of amendment of life, for remission of sinnes.
(Yohn did baptise in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of amendment of life, for remission of sins. )

Cvdl Ihon was in the wyldernes, and baptysed, and preached the baptyme of amendment, for the remyssion of synnes.
(Yohn was in the wilderness, and baptised, and preached the baptism of amendment, for the remission of sins.)

TNT Iohn dyd baptise in the wyldernes and preche the baptyme of repentaunce for the remission of synnes.
(Yohn did baptise in the wilderness and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. )

Wycl Joon was in desert baptisynge, and prechynge the baptym of penaunce, in to remissioun of synnes.
(Yohn was in desert baptising, and preaching the baptism of penance, in to remission of sins.)

Luth Johannes, der war in der Wüste, taufte und predigte von der Taufe der Buße zur Vergebung der Sünden.
(Yohannes, the/of_the what/which in the/of_the desert, baptised and preached from the/of_the Taufe the/of_the repentance to/for forgiveness the/of_the sins(n).)

ClVg Fuit Joannes in deserto baptizans, et prædicans baptismum pœnitentiæ in remissionem peccatorum.[fn]
(It_was Yoannes in/into/on in_the_desert baptizans, and preaching baptism of_repentance in/into/on remission of_sins/sinners. )

1.4 Joannes. ISID. Gratia Dei. A gratia Dei incipit, unde sequitur: Baptizans, etc. Per baptismum peccata dimittuntur; unde: Quod gratis accepistis, gratis date Matth. 10.. Et Apostolus: Gratia salvati estis Ephes. 2.. Baptizans. HIER. Baptismum pœnitentiæ dedit, baptismum in remissionem peccatorum prædicavit, tamen non dedit. Sicut prædicatione, etc., usque ad nunc per amicum sponsi inducitur sponsa, ut Rebecca Isaac, per puerum pallio albo velata.

1.4 Yoannes. ISID. Grace of_God. From grace of_God begins, from_where/who follows: Baptizans, etc. Per baptism sins they_are_released; from_where/who: That for_free you_received, for_free date Matth. 10.. And Apostolus: Grace saved you_are Ephes. 2.. Baptizans. HIER. Baptismum of_repentance he_gave, baptism in/into/on remission of_sins/sinners preached, nevertheless not/no he_gave. Like preaching, etc., until to now through friend grooms is_introduced bride, as Rebecca Isaac, through boy cloak white veiled.

UGNT ἐγένετο Ἰωάννης, ὁ βαπτίζων ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, καὶ κηρύσσων βάπτισμα μετανοίας εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν.
(egeneto Yōannaʸs, ho baptizōn en taʸ eraʸmōi, kai kaʸrussōn baptisma metanoias eis afesin hamartiōn.)

SBL-GNT ἐγένετο Ἰωάννης ⸀ὁ βαπτίζων ἐν τῇ ⸀ἐρήμῳ κηρύσσων βάπτισμα μετανοίας εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν.
(egeneto Yōannaʸs ⸀ho baptizōn en taʸ ⸀eraʸmōi kaʸrussōn baptisma metanoias eis afesin hamartiōn.)

RP-GNT Ἐγένετο Ἰωάννης βαπτίζων ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, καὶ κηρύσσων βάπτισμα μετανοίας εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν.
(Egeneto Yōannaʸs baptizōn en taʸ eraʸmōi, kai kaʸrussōn baptisma metanoias eis afesin hamartiōn.)

TC-GNT § ἐγένετο [fn]Ἰωάννης [fn]βαπτίζων ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, καὶ κηρύσσων βάπτισμα μετανοίας εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν.
( § egeneto Yōannaʸs baptizōn en taʸ eraʸmōi, kai kaʸrussōn baptisma metanoias eis afesin hamartiōn. )

1:4 ιωαννης ¦ ιωανης WH

1:4 βαπτιζων εν τη ερημω και 98.2% ¦ ο βαπτιζων εν τη ερημω και NA TH 0.4% ¦ ο βαπτιζων εν τη ερημω SBL WH 0.2%

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:1–8: God sent John the Baptizer to prepare the people to receive Jesus

These notes have divided this section into three paragraphs:

1:1 serves as an introduction both to section 1:1–8 and to the book as a whole.

1:2–3 introduces John the Baptizer by quoting the Old Testament verses that predict his ministry.

1:4–8 describes John, his ministry and his message.

In some languages it may be more natural to make different paragraph breaks. For example:

1:1–3 and 1:4–8 (GNT, NCV)
1:1–8 (NRSV, REB, NAB, NJB)

Divide the paragraphs in a way that will fit the style of your language.

It is good to translate the section before you decide on a section heading for it. You will need to use terms in the heading that you have used in the verses within the section. For example, before you write a section heading for this section, you will need to know how you have translated the word “Baptizer.” See the note on 1:4a.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The preaching of John the Baptizer

John prepared people for Jesus to arrive

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 3:1–12; Luke 3:1–18; and John 1:19–28.

Paragraph 1:4–8

This paragraph describes the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in 1:2–3. It identifies John as “the messenger” and “the voice” that were mentioned in those verses. It also describes what John did and what he preached. In some languages you may want to divide 1:4–8 into two paragraphs: 1:4–5 and 1:6–8.

1:4a

John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness,

¶ So John the Baptizer appeared in the wilderness,
¶ Those words were fulfilled when John who baptized people began his work in the region where few people lived.

There is an implied connection between 1:4 and the prophecy in 1:2–3. John fulfilled this prophecy. He was the messenger whom Isaiah predicted. Try to indicate this connection in a natural way in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

So (GNT)

And so (NIV)

And those words were fulfilled, because

See the notes at the beginning of 1:2a for more discussion on this connection.

John the Baptist appeared: There is a textual issue with the Greek word that the BSB translates as Baptist:

Some Greek manuscripts indicate that this word is used as a title for John.These manuscripts have the definite article before the word “baptizing.” It means “John, the Baptizing [One].” For example:
John the Baptizer (GW)
John who baptized people (BSB, NIV11, RSV, NJB, NLT, CEV, NET, GW, NRSV, NASB, REB)
Some Greek manuscripts indicate that this word goes with came and describes John’s actions.These manuscripts do not have the definite article before “baptizing.” It means “John came, baptizing.” For example:
So John appeared…baptizing… (GNT) (NIV84, GNT, NCV, KJV, ESV)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). It has the best manuscript and version support. However, if a major language Bible in your area follows option (2), you may choose to follow it. There is good evidence for both options, and the difference in meaning is slight.

Be careful that the title does not imply that John was a member of a Baptist Church. This may be a problem with a transliterated title like “John the Baptist.”

Here is another way to translate John the Baptist appeared :

John the Baptizer appeared

John the Baptist: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Baptist can also be translated as “baptizer.” It refers to a person who baptizes people. The verb “baptize” means to purify people with a special ritual that uses water.In some verses, the verbs “wash” and “clean” are used to translate the Greek verb “baptize.” Luke 11:38 says, “But the Pharisee was surprised to see that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.” (The Greek verb here is baptizo, but English versions translate it as “wash.” The context refers to a ritual washing, not merely a removal of dirt.). Mark 7:4 and Matthew 23:25 both speak of washing/cleaning cups and other utensils. The verb in Mark is baptizo while the verb in Matthew is katharizo (clean). Again, a ritual cleansing is involved. Mark 7:4 says, “And there are many other traditions for them to observe, including the washing of cups, pitchers, kettles, and couches for dining.” Matthew 23:25 says, “You clean (katharizo) the outside of the cup and dish.” However, the above references do not indicate that “wash/cleanse” is the only meaning of the rite of baptism as practiced by John and by the early Christians. And certainly Jesus’ baptism of people with the Holy Spirit signified more than purification. In this context the ritual involved purification from sin. It did not mean that the person was cleaned to remove dirt. Baptism was an initiation that marked the beginning of a person’s life as one of God’s pure people.

You will probably need to decide how to translate the verb “baptize” before you translate the title “John the Baptist.”

Here are some ways to translate “baptize”:

Use a descriptive term. For example:
ritually wash
initiate people in/with water
immerse people in water for God
sprinkle/shower people with God’s initiation water
Use a term for a similar ritual that is already used in your culture. You may need to indicate that in this context it has a special connection with God. For example:
purify people with God’s ceremonial bath
wash people in initiation water for God
Use a term that is already accepted by the local churches. In some areas this term may have been borrowed from the national language or transliterated from Greek or English.

Churches use different ways to baptize people. Choose a term that is acceptable to the different churches in your area.

Here are some other ways to translate the title John the baptizer:

John who cleansed people for God

John the Ritual Purifier

John who initiated people with God’s washing

See baptize, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.

appeared: The Greek word that the BSB translates as appeared has more than one meaning. There are two ways to interpret it here:

It indicates that John came/appeared. For example:
John went to a place in the wilderness (EASY) (BSB, NIV, GNT, RSV, CEV, NRSV, NASB, REB, ESV)
It indicates that John lived/was in the wilderness. For example:
He lived in the wilderness. (NLT96) (NJB, NCV, GW, NLT96)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). John may have lived in the wilderness before this time. However, the focus here is that he began to preach publicly and that many people quickly heard about him.An idiom to describe this in English is “John appeared/came on the scene.”

In some languages a word that means “appeared” can imply a wrong meaning. It may imply that John was invisible and then he suddenly became visible or that John appeared to people in a vision. Be careful to avoid these wrong meanings.

in the wilderness: The Greek word that the BSB translates as wilderness is the same word in 1:3a. See the note in 1:3a on wilderness.

1:4b

preaching

and he preached regularly. He told people
He was proclaiming/telling the Lord’s message to those who came to hear him. He said,

Here in 1:4b John preached in an area where no people lived, but people came to listen to him. In 1:4a also, he was calling out his message in a place where few people lived, but people came from other places to listen to him. If you made this information explicit in 1:4a, consider whether you need to do so again here. See the note on “in the wilderness” at 1:3a. See also the General Comment on 1:4b–d for a suggestion about how to translate the content of John’s preaching.

preaching: The Greek word that the BSB translates as preaching means to publicly tell people something important. John was proclaiming God’s message to the crowds who came to listen. He did this often, and your translation should imply that.

Here are some other ways to translate preaching in this context:

announcing

proclaiming

telling people

In some languages it may be natural to start a new clause or sentence here. For example:

He was preaching to the people.

1:4c–d

a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins: In this phrase there are four important nouns: baptism, repentance, forgiveness, and sins. In many languages you may need to translate some or all of these nouns as verbs. Then you may need to make other information explicit. For example:

[preaching that] people should be baptized to show that they were rejecting their sins so that God would forgive them.

In many languages it may also be more natural to use direct speech here. For example:

Allow me to baptize you to show that you are turning from your sins so that God will forgive you for the evil things that you have done.

See the General Comment on 1:4b–d for another example. See baptize, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.

1:4c

a baptism of repentance

to be baptized to show that they were turning away from their sins,
“You^(plur) must change your^(plur) sinful thinking and behavior and let me baptize you.^(plur)

a baptism of repentance: The phrase a baptism of repentance means “a baptism that shows repentance.” Baptism was the way people could show that they had repented.

People repented and then were baptized. So in some languages it may be necessary to translate the actions in a different order. For example, the GNT has:

Turn away from your ^(plur) sins and be baptized. (GNT)

In some languages it may be not be natural or even possible to use the passive verb “be baptized.” In those languages it may be possible to say:

Turn away from your ^(plur) sins and allow me to baptize you ^(plur).

Turn from your ^(plur) sins and receive/accept baptism.

baptism: The word baptism refers to a special ritual washing that purifies someone. In this context the ritual implied purifying/cleansing from sin. It was an initiation that marked the beginning of that person’s life as one of God’s pure people.

You should translate baptism in a similar way as you translate “baptize.” However, the form of the word or phrase may be different. For example, here are some ways to translate baptism with a descriptive term:

ritual washing

purification/initiation for God

entering the water

Be sure that the term you use is acceptable to the different churches in your area. See the note on 1:4a for more translation suggestions. Remember that in 1:4a the focus was on John as the one who baptized people, rather than on the people who were being baptized. You may need to modify your term for baptism to fit different contexts.

repentance: The Greek word that the BSB translates as repentance means “a change of a person’s mind, heart, or will.” In the Bible it refers specifically to a change of mind and heart about sin and about God. The person who repents is sorry for his past sins. He decides to stop sinning and to obey God.

Here are some other ways to translate repentance:

changing heart/mind

rejecting sin

In some languages, you may have an idiom for this type of change. For example:

turning from sin to God

leaving sin behind

In some languages it may be more natural to translate repentance here with a verb or verb phrase. For example:

Turn away from your sins (GNT)

Change your ^(plur) thinking/mind/heart

1:4d

for the forgiveness of sins.

so that God would forgive them.
If you^(plur) do that, God will forgive your^(plur) sins.”

for the forgiveness of sins: The phrase for the forgiveness of sins indicates that the purpose of repenting and being baptized is to receive forgiveness. It also implies that the forgiveness is the result that people can expect from these actions.Louw and Nida (page 784) define eis here as “a marker of intent, often with the implication of expected result.” UBS (page 12) also says that in this context the preposition may indicate “either purpose or result.” Hiebert (page 32) speaks of forgiveness as being the spiritual result or end of baptism, and Taylor (page 154) describes baptism as an action that leads to forgiveness. In some languages it may be necessary to emphasize either purpose or result. For example:

Stop sinning and be baptized in order that God will pardon your sins.

Turn away from your ^(plur) sins and be baptized…and God will forgive your sins. (GNT)

Turn back to God and be baptized! Then your sins will be forgiven. (CEV)

forgiveness of sins: In this context the phrase forgiveness of sins means that God chooses not to punish a person for the evil things that he has done and thought. God cancels his guilt and treats him as though he had never offended.

Here are some other ways to translate forgiveness of sins:

canceling sins

release from sins

taking away of sins

In some languages it may be necessary to translate the noun forgiveness with a verb. Here are some ways to do this:

pardon sins

cancel sins

In many languages there may be an idiom for this. For example:

erase guilt

wiping away sins

In some languages it is more natural to say “forgive people,” rather than to “forgive sins.” For example:

forgive people for their sins

sins: The word sins refers to offenses against God. Sins include acts, thoughts, and attitudes that are not what God wants or approves.In Greek, the verb that English versions translate as sin is also a term that is used in archery to mean “miss the target”. When a person sins, he “misses” the target, that is, he fails to reach God’s standard. A person can also offend God by not doing what God wants him to do.

It is helpful to translate sins with a general term that can include any offense against God. Here are problems to avoid:

The term should not imply that only serious crimes like murder or stealing are sins. Other offenses like gossip and greed are also sins.
The term should not include accidents or mistakes that are not against God’s will.

Here are some ways to translate sins:

wrong acts

offenses against God

evil deeds

In some languages it may be natural to translate sins with a phrase that includes a verb. For example:

wrong things that you have done

General Comment on 1:4b–d

This part of the verse tells what John preached to the people. In some languages it may be more natural to use a direct quote. For example, the GNT says:

…preaching. “Turn away from your ^(plur) sins and be baptized,” he told the people, “and God will forgive your ^(plur) sins.”

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐγένετο Ἰωάννης, ὁ βαπτίζων ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, καὶ κηρύσσων

became John the_‹one› baptizing in the desert (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐγένετο Ἰωάννης ὁ βαπτίζων ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καί κηρύσσων βάπτισμα μετανοίας εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν)

Here, the phrase translated the one baptizing could be: (1) a description of what John did, in parallel with the word preaching. Alternate translation: [John came. He was baptizing in the wilderness and preaching] (2) a title (“the Baptist”) that people called John. Alternate translation: [John the Baptist came in the wilderness, preaching]

Note 2 topic: writing-participants

ἐγένετο Ἰωάννης

became John

This phrase introduces a new character into the story. If your language has an expression of its own that serves this purpose, you could use it here. Alternate translation: [There was a man named John] or [A man called John appeared]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / quotations

κηρύσσων βάπτισμα μετανοίας εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν

proclaiming ˓a˒_baptism ˱of˲_repentance for forgiveness ˱of˲_sins

It may be more natural in your language to have a direct quotation here. Alternate translation: [preaching, “Receive a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.”]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

κηρύσσων βάπτισμα μετανοίας

proclaiming ˓a˒_baptism ˱of˲_repentance

Here Mark implies that John was preaching that people should undergo a baptism of repentance. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make that idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [preaching that people should receive a baptism of repentance] or [preaching that people should ask to receive a baptism of repentance]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

βάπτισμα μετανοίας εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν

˓a˒_baptism ˱of˲_repentance for forgiveness ˱of˲_sins

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas behind repentance and forgiveness, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: [that people should be baptized to show that they had repented, so that their sins would be forgiven]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

βάπτισμα μετανοίας

˓a˒_baptism ˱of˲_repentance

Here, Mark is using the possessive form to describe a baptism that shows or expresses repentance. If this is not clear in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: [a baptism that expresses repentance] or [a baptism that demonstrates repentance]

Note 7 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν

for forgiveness ˱of˲_sins

Here, the phrase for the forgiveness of sins indicates the goal of the baptism of repentance. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different word or phrase that indicates the goal of an action. Alternate translation: [that would lead to forgiveness of sins]

Parallel MARK 1:4