Mark describes John's activities, preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins and baptising in the Jordan river. He says he wore camel hair, a leather belt, and survived on locusts and wild honey. His clothes resemble Elijah's as described in . There is also the prophecy of true prophet's clothing in the Book of Zechariah . His diet may have been his attempt at purity. There has been much speculation that John was an Essene, perhaps also Jesus, but there is no hard evidence either way. According to Luke, Jesus and John were relatives () and John is described as being a Nazarite from birth (). All portraits of him paint him as certainly an ascetic, but also as a popular and respected preacher.