He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins.
Repentance ... is a change of the human will that issues in reformation of life.  It may occur in a moment, but the best results of it last a lifetime.  Jesus allowed that repentance may occur seven times in a single day (17:4), and this shows that it may not last a lifetime!  However, it is admitted by all that it should.  It is the basic condition of God's forgiveness; and, as long as one is under the probation of life, the need of repentance is constant.