It is a good question.  And one the Pharisees asked of John.

Now the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!  This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’  I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.  And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’  I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One” (John 1:24-34).

1) First, we see that by the Pharisees question, it seems to imply that baptism, not just ritual washing, was accompanied something or someone new of significance.

They asked if John was the Christ.  This was the long awaited Messiah that the prophets spoke about.  He said he was not.  Then they asked if he was Elijah because it was prophesied that Elijah would return.    No there also.  Although Jesus would say that he came in the spirit and power of Elijah.  Then they asked if he was the prophet.  They were referring to Deuteronomy 18:18 where The prophet is predicted to come.  No there also.

Each of these descriptors – the Messiah, Elijah, the Prophet were people of significance that would institute something new.  So the fact that they would ask this in connection with baptism perhaps is an indicator that baptism is associated with a new move of God.

2) John said plainly why he came.

“the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel” (John 1:31).

How was it that by baptizing in water that Jesus would be revealed to Israel?  As we saw earlier, baptism seemed to be an indicator of a new season, move and work of God.  But perhaps it’s also something more.  John baptized in water and it was clearly about repentance.

• Mark 1:4

  And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

• Luke 3:3

  He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

• Acts 13:24

  Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.

• Acts 19:4
  Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”

Then we see that his ministry of John was to prepare the way of the Lord.

Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” (John 1:22-23).

The role of John was to prepare the way of the Lord.  How do you prepare the way of the Lord?  You see that the hearts of the people are prepared.  And how do you do that?  Through repentance.

Think about that for a minute.  For people to truly be able to see and receive Jesus, they needed to repent of their sins and clear out their hearts.  Sin that is denied obscures our view of Jesus so that we do not see who he really is as God.  Our awareness of that sin, and our humble need of help, makes it possible so that we can see the solution – Jesus.

Repentance is a central part of seeing Jesus.  It was the starting message of everyone.

John the Baptist – “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea  and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (John 3:1-2). 

Jesus – “From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (John 4:17).

The Twelve – “Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits…They went out and preached that people should repent.  They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them (Mark 6:7,12-13).

Peter –   “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized” (Acts 2:38).

Paul –  In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30).

Repentance was the message that everyone led with in their preaching.  It was core to the message.  But it wasn’t just hell, fire and brimstone.  Repentance was a gift!  It was a message of hope.

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18).

Many a preacher has neglected to read this verse:

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4).

It’s God’s kindness that leads to repentance.  Not harshness.  Or threats.

So why did John baptize for repentance?  He was saying that a new season was coming.  God was on the move.  And they needed to prepare by getting their hearts right with God.  Because when the new came, they would be able to see him.

And the common people did.  They humbled themselves, repented, and opened their eyes to God.

It was the religious leaders, caught in the religion and power and prestige that did not humble themselves.  And because of it, many of them missed the Messiah.