⁴ And so John the Baptist^(A) appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance^(B) for the forgiveness of sins.^(C)

³ He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.^(A)

²⁸ This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan,^(A) where John was baptizing.

²⁴ Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.^(A)