What does Mark 1:6 mean?

Since John lives in the wilderness, he needs appropriate clothing. Woven camel hair is expensive, but good protection against cold, heat, and rain. His belt or "girdle" controls his flowing robes and serves as a purse as well. The rough clothing is in strong contrast with the priestly garments and fine linens of the wealthy Jewish council and the robes of the Roman royalty (Matthew 11:8). Instead, John resembles the Jewish prophets, especially Elijah (2 Kings 1:8).

In the Gospels, the poor regularly eat bread, fish (Mark 6:38), and grains (Mark 2:23). John the Baptist's diet of honey and locusts illustrates his absolute dependence on the land and on God for his provision. He doesn't farm, raise sheep, or even fish. He lives on what is at hand. Jesus later uses John's lifestyle to point out the hypocrisy of those who claim that John's and Jesus' power come from demonic forces. Jesus eats and drinks wine with tax-collectors and sinners; John eats locusts and honey; both are accused of having a demon (Matthew 11:7–19).

John's clothing and food shows his dependence on God to care for his needs as he does God's work (Matthew 6:25–33). John wears basic, sturdy clothes and lives off the land not because he is pious, but because that's what the ministry requires of him. The food John eats and the clothes he wears are a result of his inner righteousness (Matthew 11:11); they don't cause him to be righteous (Mark 7:20–23).