Mark 1:2-11

Expanded Bible

² as the prophet Isaiah wrote:

⁴ John [^Cthe Baptist] was baptizing people in the ·desert [wilderness] and preaching a baptism of ·changed hearts and lives [turning from sin; repentance] for the ·forgiveness [remission] of sins. ⁵ All the people from Judea and Jerusalem were going out to him. They confessed their sins and were baptized by him in the Jordan River. ⁶ John wore clothes made from camel’s hair, had a leather belt around his waist [^Creminiscent of the prophet Elijah; 2 Kin. 1:8], and ate locusts and wild honey [^Csignifies living off the land]. ⁷ This is what John preached to the people: “There is one coming after me who is ·greater [mightier; more powerful] than I; I am not ·good enough [fit; qualified] even to kneel down and untie [^Lthe thong/strap of] his sandals [^Ca task of a servant or slave]. ⁸ I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus Is Baptized and Tested^(A)

⁹ ·At that time [In those days] Jesus came from the town of Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. ¹⁰ Immediately, as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw ·heaven [the sky] ·open [split open]. The ·Holy Spirit [^LSpirit] ·came down [descended] on him like a dove [^Ceither in the form of a dove, or in bird-like descent], ¹¹ and a voice came from heaven: “You are my ·Son, whom I love [dearly beloved Son; Ps. 2:7; Gen. 22:2], ·and I am very pleased with you [in whom I take great delight; Is. 42:1].”