Devine Scripture

Mark 1:6

What does Mark 1:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 1:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 1:6 means

This verse describes John the Baptist's distinctive appearance and diet, characterizing him as an ascetic figure. His clothing of camel's hair and a leather girdle, along with his diet of locusts and wild honey, intentionally echoed the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 1:8). This imagery further connects John to the Old Testament prophetic tradition, emphasizing his role as a messenger from God and reinforcing his separation from conventional society, giving authority to his message.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leathern girdle about his loins, and did eat locusts and wild honey.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leathern girdle about his loins, and did eat locusts and wild honey.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather band about him; and his food was locusts and honey.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And John was clothed with camel's hair, and a girdle of skin around his loins, and eating locusts and honey of the field,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And John was clothed camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and he ate locusts and wild honey.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And John was clothed in camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and ate locusts and wild honey.

Context

After detailing the widespread response to John's ministry in verse 5, this verse provides a crucial physical description of John. This portrayal reinforces his prophetic identity, linking him to Elijah, and immediately precedes his powerful declaration about the one who will come after him, thereby enhancing the anticipation for the Messiah.

v.5And there went out unto him all the country of Judæa, and all they of Jerusalem; and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

v.6This passage

v.7And he preached, saying, There cometh after me he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Leviticus 11:22

    even these of them ye may eat: the locust after its kind, and the bald locust after its kind, and the cricket after its kind, and the grasshopper after its kind.

  • Zechariah 13:4

    And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he prophesieth; neither shall they wear a hairy mantle to deceive:

  • 2 Kings 1:8

    And they answered him, He was a hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.

  • Matthew 3:4

    Now John himself had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

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