Mark 1:4

Mark 1:4 @o`# bapti,zwn evn th|/ evrh,mw| kai, {C}

In view of the predominant usage in the Synoptic Gospels of referring to John as “the Baptist” (o` baptisth,j occurs in Mark 6:25 and Mark 8:28, as well as seven times in Matthew and three times in Luke), it is easier to account for the addition than for the deletion of the definite article before bapti,zwn. The omission of kai, in a few Alexandrian witnesses is the result of taking o` bapti,zwn as a title.