1:5 John baptized with water. John the Baptist baptized large crowds of people (Matt. 3:5, 6, 13–15; Mark 1:5, 9; Luke 3:7–16, 21). John’s water baptism of repentance (Mark 1:4) pointed forward to the messianic baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire (Luke 3:16). See “The Baptism of Jesus” at Mark 1:9.

not many days from now. A few days would pass before Pentecost.