Mark 1:5,6 - The whole Judean countryside

1:5

John and his message had mass appeal. Mark tells us that “the whole Judean countryside and all the people went out to him”. They confessed their sins and were baptised in the Jordan. Luke 3:15 tells us that there was a general air of expectation. Too much of the church tries to gain popularity by following cultural trends. This is a foolish approach. The “common people” often recognise that there is something wrong, they won’t know what exactly, and won’t put it down to rebellion against God. But we need to preach God’s word, not some cultural nonsense.

1:6

The description of John is reminiscent of Elijah (2 Kings 1:8). Locusts were the only insect that the Law allowed them to eat. Apparently they could be boiled or roasted, either way, I don’t fancy them.