John the Baptist said that while he baptized people with water, Jesus would baptize them with the Holy Spirit. This was a prophecy that Jesus would provide spiritual purification and renewal through the Holy Spirit. John recognized that his own baptism was only a symbol pointing to the true baptism that Jesus would offer. Jesus' baptism involved the direct communication and empowerment of the Holy Spirit to renew people inwardly.

1. HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM IN MARK
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
Mark 1:8 8I baptize you with water, but he will
baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
Pulpit Commentary Homiletics
John's Baptism And Christ's
Mark 1:8
A.F. Muir
I. THE GRAND RELIGIOUS NEED OF MAN IS PURIFICATION. The
existence ofso many ceremonialreligions is a presumption in favor of this.
They all speak ofoffenses in man which require expiation. But the knowledge
of the true characterofsin is revealedby the Law (Romans 3:19). Sin itself, of
course, exists anteriorto the knowledge ofthe Law of Moses,becauseofthe
"law of God written upon the heart." In Psalm 14 the universal depravity of
the Jews ofthe age in which the psalmist wrote is very absolutely, declared;
and St. Paul, in Romans 3:10, etc., quotes it freely, in proof that Jews as well
as Gentiles are under the powerof sin. "As his argument is at this point
addressedparticularly to the Jew, he reasons, notfrom the sense ofsin or the
voice of conscience, but from the Scriptures, whose authority the Jew
acknowledged. The Jew would, of course, admit the inference as to the state of
the Gentile world" (Perowne). The first aim, therefore, of every real religion
must be the removal of sin, because:

2. 1. The sense of guilt estranges manfrom God. Under this feeling of alienation
the heart hardens, and the tendency is to castoff the authority of all Divine
sanctions.
2. Indwelling sin corrupts and perverts the moral mature. The vision of God is
obscured, and as he is the Fountain of moral obligation and perception, moral
distinctions become uncertain and confused. Right and truth are not desired
for their ownsakes;there is no genuine enthusiasm for them. On the contrary,
the heart is already biasedand bribed on behalf of evil. "Evil, be thou my
good," expressesthe final stage to which the corruption of the heart may
attain; and:
3. Sinful habit and inherited tendency enfeeble the will. This moral weakness
may coexistwith the clearestperceptions of right and wrong (Romans 7:14-
19).
II. RELIGIOUS MINISTRIES ARE TO BE TESTED BYTHEIR POWER
TO EFFECTTHIS,
1. It is the generalpretensionwhich they make in common. There may be
supernatural evidences, etc., to recommend them, but the practicalground
upon which they base their claim to receptionis really that, in some wayor
other, they cansettle the question of sin betweenman and God. To judge them
upon this point is not, therefore, to do them an injustice.
2. The standard is common and within human experience. In the measure in
which they weanman from sin and reconcile him to the Divine Being, they
prove their ability to make goodtheir pretension. A religion whose followers
have low moral ideas, or are not in the habit of practising what they profess,
must be discredited as a moral power.
3. There are various respects in which this purifying power may show itself:
(1) Spiritual rest. This arises from a sense of forgiveness and of reconciliation
with God. In other words, when the consciousnessofguilt is removed and the
sanctions of righteousnesshave been honored, the soulis satisfied and loses its
fear and dislike to God, trusting, and in time loving, him.

3. (2) Moral inspiration. If sin has truly been overcomes andthe relations of the
soul with God are satisfactory, there will be hopefulness and vigor in the
discharge of duty, resignationand patience in suffering, and a disposition to
do good.
(3) Change of characterand conduct. He who did evil and delighted in it will
then find his joy in righteousness andholiness. There will he manifest "the
fruits of the Spirit," and there will be "no fellowship with the unfruitful works
of darkness."
III. How THE SUPERIORITYOF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION IN THIS
RESPECTIS TO BE EXPLAINED.
1. Becauseit was spiritual and not ceremonial. John anticipated the
explanation in his prophecy concerning Christ. He was not, like himself, to
baptize with water, but with the Holy Spirit. Now, John's baptism was most
significant, perhaps the most significant of the rites of the ceremoniallaw.
Enforcedby his moral earnestness, italso exerciseda powerful spiritual effect.
But it did not produce that which he preached, viz. repentance, in any inward
and enduring manner. It was only indirectly spiritual. Duty was powerfully
suggestedby the symbol, and, where spiritual influence was at work, in many
instances a morn! change was produced. But there was, so to speak, no
command overthat spiritual influence, no ensuring its operation upon the
heart. What was needed was something that would go directly to the heart,
and renew the moral nature. It is only in the communication of greater
spiritual power than existedbefore that this can take place. A strong moral
nature like John's was felt whilst it appealedto men, but, when its immediate
influence was withdrawn, the impulses and emotions to which it gave rise died
down again. Christ, on the other hand, furnished moral power in the
communication of truth under vital and vivid representations. Fromthe
fullness of his ownspiritual life also there was a constantoverflowing of grace
and strength. He spake as never man spake;his authority was felt; his
example inspired. It was the meaning and spirit of everything he revealed.
The consciencewas strengthened, andthe moral nature filled with new light
and life. "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And
we have believed and know that thou art the Holy One of God" (John 6:68).

4. 2. Becauseit was the communication of Divine life and power. He "baptized
with the Holy Ghost." An awful and mysterious expression? The Spirit of God
was setfree by the atoning work of the Saviour to operate upon the heart and
conscienceofman. By purifying the outward man John sought to impress men
with the sense oftheir spiritual impurity, and their need of forgiveness and
inward cleansing. Butonly Christ could give purity of heart. He gave life; he
inspired. The inward man was renewed, "createdafterGod, in righteousness
and true holiness." "Ican do all things through Christ which strengtheneth
me." - M.
Biblical Illustrator
There cometh one mightier than I after me.
Mark 1:7
Christ mightier than the Baptist
Anon.

5. This not then apparent. As the two met on the banks of the Jordan it
appearedthe reverse:John the embodiment of matured strength; mighty in
word, wondrously successful;the greatman of the epoch. Jesus had given no
evidence of greatness. Butthings are not what they seem. Jesus is mightier
than John.
I. In HIS PERSON."The powerof God."
II. In HIS PREACHING. Neitherin manner nor matter did John "astonish"
as Christ did. Christ's words were spirit and life.
III. In HIS WORKS. John did no miracle.
IV. In THE PERMANENCEOF HIS MINISTRY. We hear the last of John's
disciples in Acts 19:1-7. Christ's disciples are an ever-increasing belly today.
V. In HIS DEATH. Christ's death really began His ministry: John's closed
his.
VI. In HIS POWER OVER THE HUMAN HEART. John could only move its
fears while he was here; Christ can win its love and devotion now that He has
gone.
(Anon.)
Unloosing Easternsandals
Burder.
The custom of loosing the sandals from off the feet of an Easternworshipper
was ancient and indispensable. It is also commonly observed in visits to great
men. The sandals, or slippers, are pulled off at the door, and either left there
or given to a servant to bear. The person to bear them was an inferior
domestic, or attendant upon a man of high rank, to take care of and to return
them to him again. This was the work of servants among the Jews, and it was
reckonedso servile that it was thought too mean for a scholaror disciple to
do. The Jews say:"All services whicha servant does for a master, a disciple
does for his master, except unloosing his shoes."Johnthought it was too great

6. an honour for him to do that for Christ, which was thought too mean for a
disciple to do for a wise man.
(Burder.)
The Baptist's humility
Trapp.
The highest buildings have the lowestfoundations. As the roots of a tree
descendso the branches ascend. The lowerthe ebb the higher the tide. Those
upon the mountains see only the fog beneath them, whilst those in deep pits
see the stars above them. The most fruitful branches bow the lowest. The best
trees refused to be king, but the bramble affectedit (Judges 9).
(Trapp.)
Retiring with humility in favour of another
Amer. Sunday SchoolTimes.
He retired with dignity and ease,and with a glowing tribute to our Lord's
Divinity. He had the instinct of the true teacher. Thatone who would not
rather see his disciple surpass him in memorable service for humanity is far
too small for his position. MichaelAngelo's monument in the Westminster
Abbey of Florence is magnificent, and attracts all eyes;but his humble teacher
lies beneath a slabof the church floor, and the very name is worn by the feet
of worshippers during the centuries. Who will complain that the two are
misplaced? The teacherdid his work well, and shines too in the fame of the
master. But the disciple had what the master never had. So He who had been
baptized by John, possessedwhatJohn did not have, and the beauty of John's
ministry lay in a recognitionof this fact. He knew as well how to close his life
as he had known how to begin it.
(Amer. Sunday SchoolTimes.)

7. Shoestrings;humble service
J. R. Howat.
This is what John understood, and what you must understand, that it is an
honour to be permitted to do the humblest work for Jesus Christ. If when the
queen was riding through our streets, with soldiers before her and soldiers
behind, and crowds of people all along the way, you stoodthere with a little
bunch of flowers in your hand and offeredthem to her, and she took them and
thanked you with a smile, I fancy you would be very proud because the queen
had been pleasedto acceptyour little service. It was so John the Baptist felt:
he felt that there were great, strong angels who would have reckonedit an
honour to be allowedto untie the Lord's shoe latchets, and while the Lord
could have such pure servants as these, he felt that he was unworthy the
honour.
(J. R. Howat.)
STUDYLIGHT RESOURCES
Adam Clarke Commentary
I indeed have baptized you with water - As if he had said: This baptism is not
to be restedin; it is only an emblem of that which you must receive from him
who is mightier than I. It is he only who can communicate the Holy Spirit;
and waterbaptism is nothing, but as it points out, and leads to, the baptism of
the Holy Ghost. The subjectof these two verses is not found in Matthew nor
John; but is mentioned with some varying circumstances by Luke, Luke 3:16.
Copyright Statement

8. These files are public domain.
Bibliography
Clarke, Adam. "Commentary on Mark 1:8". "The Adam Clarke
Commentary". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/mark-
1.html. 1832.
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John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible
I indeed have baptized you with water,.... This was spokento the baptized
persons, partly to take off their dependence upon him and his baptism; and
partly to direct their views to Christ, from whom the gifts and graces ofthe
Spirit are alone to be had:
but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost; See Gill on Matthew 3:11. One
copy adds, "and with fire", as there: a Jewishwriter says, the holy blessed
God baptizeth with fire, and the wise shall understandF16.
Copyright Statement
The New John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Modernisedand adapted
for the computer by Larry Pierce of Online Bible. All Rightes Reserved,
Larry Pierce, Winterbourne, Ontario.
A printed copy of this work can be ordered from: The Baptist Standard
Bearer, 1 Iron Oaks Dr, Paris, AR, 72855
Bibliography
Gill, John. "Commentary on Mark 1:8". "The New John Gill Exposition of
the Entire Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/mark-
1.html. 1999.
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Geneva Study Bible

9. I indeed have f baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the
Holy Ghost.
(f) He shows that all the powerof baptism proceeds from Christ, who baptizes
the inner man.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliography
Beza, Theodore. "Commentaryon Mark 1:8". "The 1599 Geneva Study
Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/gsb/mark-1.html.
1599-1645.
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Robertson's WordPictures in the New Testament
With water(υδατι — hudati). So Luke (Luke 3:16) the locative case, in water.
Matthew (Matthew 3:11) has εν — en (in), both with (in) waterand the Holy
Spirit. The waterbaptism by John was a symbol of the spiritual baptism by
Jesus.
Copyright Statement
The Robertson's WordPictures of the New Testament. Copyright �
Broadman Press 1932,33,Renewal1960. All rights reserved. Used by
permission of Broadman Press (Southern BaptistSunday SchoolBoard)
Bibliography

10. Robertson, A.T. "Commentary on Mark 1:8". "Robertson's WordPictures of
the New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/rwp/mark-1.html. Broadman
Press 1932,33. Renewal1960.
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The Fourfold Gospel
I baptized you in water; But he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit.
He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit. That which is here referred to was
foretold by the prophets (Isaiah 44:3; Joel2:28). In the early church there was
an abundant outpouring of the Spirit of God (Titus 3:5,6; Acts 2:3,4,17;Acts
10:44). This prophecy began to be fulfilled on the day of Pentecost(Acts 1:5;
Acts 2:4). In the choice of the word "baptize" God indicated through his
prophet how full this flooding of the Spirit would be.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that
is available on the Christian ClassicsEtherealLibrary Website. These files
were made available by Mr. Ernie Stefanik. First published online in 1996 at
The RestorationMovementPages.
Bibliography
J. W. McGarveyand Philip Y. Pendleton. "Commentaryon Mark 1:8". "The
Fourfold Gospel". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tfg/mark-
1.html. Standard Publishing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. 1914.

11. return to 'Jump List'
John Trapp Complete Commentary
8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the
Holy Ghost.
Ver. 8. With the Holy Ghost]By whom your iniquity is taken away, Isaiah
6:6-7. {See Trapp on "Matthew 3:11"}
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliography
Trapp, John. "Commentary on Mark 1:8". John Trapp Complete
Commentary. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/mark-
1.html. 1865-1868.
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Expository Notes with PracticalObservations onthe New Testament
John showedthe dignity of Christ's person above his own, in the former
verse;in this he declares the excellencyof Christ's office, and the meanness of
his own; I washthe body with water, but Christ cleanses the soul by the
operationof his Holy Spirit.
Thence learn, That though the ministers of Christ do by Christ's command
dispense the outward ordinance of baptism, yet it is Christ himself, that by the

12. inward work of his Spirit doth make it effectualto such as receive it. I baptize
with water;but he with the Holy Ghost.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliography
Burkitt, William. "Commentary on Mark 1:8". Expository Notes with
PracticalObservations onthe New Testament.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/wbc/mark-1.html. 1700-1703.
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Greek TestamentCriticalExegeticalCommentary
8.] Matt. and Luke add καὶ πυρί.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliography
Alford, Henry. "Commentary on Mark 1:8". Greek TestamentCritical
ExegeticalCommentary.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hac/mark-1.html. 1863-1878.
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Matthew Poole's EnglishAnnotations on the Holy Bible
See Poole on"Mark 1:7"

13. Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliography
Poole, Matthew, "Commentaryon Mark 1:8". Matthew Poole's English
Annotations on the Holy Bible.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/mpc/mark-1.html. 1685.
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Cambridge Greek Testamentfor Schools and Colleges
8. ἐγὼ ἐβάπτισα. He is addressing his baptized converts. Mt. and Lk. have
βαπτίζω. They have μέν after ἐγώ, and some texts insert it here. The classical
μὲν … δὲ … is comparatively rare in N.T.;only three or four times in Mk, and
in some books (2 Thess., 1 Tim., Tit., 2 Peter, 1, 2, 3 Jn, Rev.)not at all. Jn
has ἐν before ὕδατι, Mt. and Lk. before πνεύματι, Mk in neither place;see
crit. note. Here we have dat. of the instrument; with water, with (the) Holy
Spirit. There is no art and the Spirit is hardly personal;John would not think
of a Person. In Mk the Baptist utters no warning about a judgment that is
near at hand; there is no axe or fan or fire, and the mission of the Forerunner
is almost immediately lost in that of the Messiah. But the effect of his teaching
is seenlong after his death; even at Ephesus, where St Paul found men ready
to acceptthe Gospel, having previously known only the baptism of John (Acts
19:2), and in the zeal of Apollos (Acts 18:22-28).
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliography

14. "Commentary on Mark 1:8". "Cambridge Greek Testamentfor Schools and
Colleges".https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cgt/mark-1.html.
1896.
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PeterPett's Commentary on the Bible
“I baptised (drenched) you in waterbut he will baptise (drench) you in Holy
Spirit.”
For this One Who is coming will be the means by which God will fulfil His
promise of drenching men with the Holy Spirit (Isaiah32:15; Isaiah44:1-5).
He will Himself be acting as the dispenserof the Holy Spirit, Who proceeds
from the Father(John 15:26), a clearindication once it is thought through of
His own deity.
This confirms that John’s baptism in waterwas to be seenas a prophetic
acting out of what was to happen, for the two are here spokenof in parallel.
John could only symbolise the pouring out of the Spirit by a drenching in
water, but the coming One would bring the reality by Himself sending, and
drenching men and women in, the Holy Spirit (John 15:26). This
demonstrates His true mightiness. He will bring to fruition the prophetic end
of the age promises, the Messianic age, saturating God’s people in Holy Spirit
Who is at His disposal. The time of fulfilment is now at hand.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliography

15. Pett, Peter. "Commentary on Mark 1:8". "PeterPett's Commentary on the
Bible ". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/pet/mark-1.html.
2013.
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Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Mark 1:8. With the Holy Ghost. In Matthew’s accountthe word ‘in’ is used,
but not here: On the day of Pentecost, whenthe greatfulfilment of this
prophecy occurred (Acts 2:3), the Apostles were baptized ‘with,’ not ‘in’ the
Holy Ghost‘With fire’ is omitted here, because the Evangelisthas not
mentioned the severity of John’s preaching.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliography
Schaff, Philip. "Commentary on Mark 1:8". "Schaff's Popular Commentary
on the New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/scn/mark-1.html. 1879-90.
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The Expositor's Greek Testament
Mark 1:8. πνεύματι ἁγίῳ:καὶ πυρί omitted, whereby the view presented of
Messiah’s function becomes less judicial, more Christian. Mt.’s accounthere
is truer to John’s conceptionof the Messiah. Mk.’s wasprobably influenced
by the destination of his Gospelfor Gentile readers.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.

16. Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliography
Nicol, W. Robertson, M.A., L.L.D. "Commentary on Mark 1:8". The
Expositor's Greek Testament.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/egt/mark-1.html. 1897-1910.
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
with. Greek. en, as in Mark 1:2.
the Holy Ghost. Greek. pneuma
hagion (without Articles) = "powerfrom on high". See App-101.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliography
Bullinger, Ethelbert William. "Commentary on Mark 1:8". "E.W. Bullinger's
Companion bible Notes".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bul/mark-1.html. 1909-1922.
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(8) I indeed have baptized you with water.—See Note onMatthew 3:11. St.
Mark omits the “fire” which St. Matthew joins with the Holy Ghost, possibly
as less intelligible to his Gentile readers.

17. Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliography
Ellicott, Charles John. "Commentary on Mark 1:8". "Ellicott's Commentary
for EnglishReaders".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ebc/mark-1.html. 1905.
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Treasuryof Scripture Knowledge
I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy
Ghost.
have
Matthew 3:11
he shall
Proverbs 1:23; Isaiah 32:15;44:3; Ezekiel36:25-27;Joel2:28;Acts 1:5;
2:4,17;Acts 10:45; 11:15,16;19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Titus 3:5,6
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliography
Torrey, R. A. "Commentary on Mark 1:8". "The Treasury of Scripture
Knowledge". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tsk/mark-
1.html.

18. return to 'Jump List'
8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the
Holy Ghost.
This passageis used to prove that there is a secondwork of grace whenthe
Holy Spirit is poured out in some manner after salvation to bring special
whateverupon the believer. This is often calledthe secondblessing, orin the
case ofPentecostals the baptism of the Spirit. When it happens the "sign" of
course is speaking in tongues as they did on the day of Pentecost. HOWEVER,
there is no indication of this teaching in this context or verse. It is a simple
statementthat Christ would baptize with the Holy Spirit, as in salvation. We
are baptized into the body of Christ via the Spirit. To make more of this is to
read into the context a lot more than the normal meaning of words allows.
It is a further statementthat John knew that what Christ was going to do was
far greaterthan anything he could do, even though he was a most influential
man.
This would also give rise to the assumption that John knew the purpose and
work of Christ. He knew a lot more about Christ than the average person.
Indeed, it would seemthat He knew this Christ was God, and that Christ was
here to do a work far above what any man could do. To know that Christ
could command the Spirit in the act of baptizing men there would have to be a
greatknowledge ofGod"s plan for that point in time
END OF STUDYLIGHT RESOURCES
Mark 1:8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy
Spirit."
Note emphatic "I." AV and NKJV read "I indeed." Its counterpart is
emphatic "He." In this verse John is comparing persons, not baptisms. John is

19. not saying that his (John's) baptism was devoid of the Holy Spirit. John 3:5
clearly proves that. The only baptism known at the time when Jesus spoke
with Nicodemus was the baptism of John. Nor is John saying that Jesus'
baptism would not involve water. But John is saying that Jesus and Jesus only
makes baptism effective by bestowing the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, what
John says is akin to what Jesus says at John 7:39 where Jesus refers plainly to
Pentecost.
Furthermore, read Acts 11:16. There Peteris not downgrading John's
baptism. But he is speaking aboutthe bestowalofthe Holy Spirit, through
baptism, beginning with Pentecost, bestowed, withoutdistinction, on Gentile
and Jewishrepentant sinner.
Lenski: The distinction is not before PentecostNO Spirit; after Pentecostthe
Spirit. The true distinction is: before the actually completedwork of
redemption the limited preparatory work of the Spirit; after the super-
abounding fullness of the Spirit. There is no such thing as 'Baptism of the
Spirit', a fanaticalconceptionand substitute for these means, human
emotions, imagining, and dreams by which the Spirit never comes.
Stoeckhardt:John baptized with the waterof repentance, with which he
testified that the people needed the washing and cleansing from their sins
above everything else, which would be provided by Christ. Since the
preaching and baptizing of John pointed to Christ, his baptism was a
powerful sacramentand produced forgiveness ofsins.
http://pericope.org/buls-notes/mark/mark_1_1_8.htm