He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins.
Only a very few of the proud Jewish leaders submitted to John's baptism, a failure on their part which issued finally in their total rejection of the Lord.  Christ brought the rite of baptism over into Christianity, making it mandatory for all who would be saved (Mark 16:15,16); but, the tragic pattern of rejection, as in the case of John's baptism, has been continued under the new covenant; and those who reject it should take note of the consequences in the people who rejected baptism under John.