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[Fat and Ugly]

What does ”baptized unto repentance” mean?

This was seemingly the purpose of John’s baptism.

[jimwalton]

Both Ken Wuest and A.T. Robertson write: "Repentance" is a genitive of description, indicating what kind of baptism is meant (a baptism marked by repentance). It’s an unfortunate choice of word, since it is generally taken to mean sorrow. John was not calling on Israel to be sorry, but to change their mental attitude and conduct. The word used here means 'a change of mind and thus of action consequent upon the realization that one has sinned and that sin is wrong.

Robertson adds: "Certainly John did not mean that the baptism was the means of obtaining the forgiveness of their sins or necessary to the remission of sin. The trouble lies in the use of eis, which sometimes is used when purpose is expressed, but sometimes when there is no such idea, as in Mt. 10.41 and 12.41. Probably 'with reference to' is as good a translation here as is possible. The baptism was on the basis of the repentance and confession of sin and, as Paul later explained (Rom. 6.4), was a picture of the death to sin and resurrection to new life in Christ. This symbol was already in use by the Jews for proselytes who became Jews. John is treating the Jewish nation as pagans who need to repent, to confess their sins, and to come back to the kingdom of God."