The Beginning of the Gospel

In the beginning of the Gospel of Mark, Mark refers to the prophecy of Isaiah, which says that God will send a messenger to prepare the way of the Lord. John the Baptist appeared in the desert and called people to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. People from all over Judea and Jerusalem came to him, confessed their sins, and were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John the Baptist was dressed in camel hair and wore a leather belt and fed on locusts and desert honey. He declared that someone greater than him was coming, that he was not worthy to tie his sandals. John says that he will baptize people in water, but the person coming after Him will baptize people with the Holy Spirit.