The Jews of Jesus’ time were awaiting the prophet Elijah’s return to precede the coming of Messiah (vs 1–3; Malachi 4:5; see also Matthew 17:10–13). Every Passover supper they would leave a place set for him in the hope that he would return and announce Messiah’s arrival (and the imminent end of Roman occupation). And here, stepping onto the scene, comes this unkempt and strange figure of John the Baptist – complete with locusts and honey stuck in his beard (v 6)! 

The prophet Elijah is described as a hairy man with a leather belt around his waist (2 Kings 1:8), and for him, the Jordan River was a protective barrier from the murderous King Ahab during the drought that he prophesied (1 Kings 17:1,3). John the Baptist seems to fit the description of the longed-for messenger (vs 2,3)!

God’s kingdom was moving, and John had been sent in the spirit of Elijah, as Jesus later confirms (Matthew 11:7–14). But many people missed it because he hadn’t come as they expected. They were looking to the empty seats at Passover – and all the while John (Elijah) was in the Jordan baptising and announcing the arrival of Jesus the Messiah. 

‘But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.’¹

Four hundred years had passed between the latest writings of our Old Testament and these events in Mark’s Gospel. The Jewish nation had been without a prophet all that time, and life had been tough. They had been oppressed by the Greeks and were dominated by the Romans. This period is referred to as the silent years, because God did not seem to be speaking to his people any more.² 

Mark’s Gospel dramatically breaks that silence, revealing that the plans God set in place centuries before had not been forgotten but were coming to fruition. Mark does this by emphasising the link between John the Baptist and the prophets of old. He describes John as the forerunner to the Messiah, the one who fulfils prophecies found in Isaiah and Malachi.³ His description of John also reminds us of the prophet Elijah, with his ascetic clothing and wilderness home, and Elijah was expected to return to usher in the Messiah.⁴ 

It’s easy to see why this time in history was an ideal one for Jesus and John to be active. After such a long period without a prophet, the people were receptive. We read that the ‘whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem’ rushed to see the Baptist (v 5), whereas in the past prophets had been mocked and rejected. Secular events helped too, such as the conquests of Alexander the Great which led to Greek becoming a universal language. This would help the gospel to spread around the world, as would the extensive Roman road system.

When God appears to be inactive and we are suffering, it can be hard to keep on trusting. However, today’s reading is a reminder that God never forgets us. The Lord’s plans and timing are perfect.

‘Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.’⁵ Reflect on this verse. 

¹ 2 Pet 3:8  ² Except in the deuterocanonical books  ³ Isa 40:3; Mal 3:1  ⁴ 2 Kings 1:8; 1 Kings 19:1–15, Mal 4:5  ⁵ Heb 11:1