“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”
King James Version (KJV)
1:4 Preaching the baptism of repentance - That is, preaching repentance, and baptizing as a sign and means of it.
Mr 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness. For account of the wilderness and John the Baptist, see PNT "Mt 3:1". And preach the baptism of repentance. He preached, as well as baptized. Only those who repented were fit subjects of baptism. Hence it was called "the baptism of repentance". Repentance signifies not only sorrow for sin, but the resolve to sin no more. For the remission of sins. This indicates the object of repentance and baptism. Those who repented and were baptized were pardoned. Both were needful to remission. Compare Ac 2:38.