Study Desk

just as he promised long ago throughJeremiah 23:5-6; 30:10; Daniel 9:24; Acts 3:21; Romans 1:2;">[xr] the mouth of his holy prophets

He has shown mercy to our ancestorsLeviticus 26:42; Psalm 98:3; 105:8-9; 106:45; Ezekiel 16:60; Luke 1:54;">[xr] and remembered his holy covenant,

And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High.Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; 4:5; Matthew 11:10; Luke 11:17;">[xr] For you will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his ways

and to give his people the knowledge of salvationMark 1:4; Luke 3:3;">[xr] through the forgiveness of their sins.

"Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to people who enjoy his favor!"peace on earth, and favor to people">[fn]Isaiah 57:19; Luke 1:79; 19:38; John 3:16; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 1:6; Colossians 1:20; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 John 4:9-10; Revelation 5:13;">[xr]

Simeonhe">[fn] took the childhim">[fn] in his arms and praised God, saying,

Then Simeonhe">[fn] blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, "This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall or rise. He will be a sign that will be disputed,Isaiah 8:14; Hosea 14:9; Matthew 21:44; Acts 28:22; Romans 9:32-33; 1 Corinthians 1:23-24; 2 Corinthians 2:16; 1 Peter 2:7-8;">[xr]

When the days of the festivalof the festival">[fn] were over, they left for home. The young man Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.

All who heard him were amazed at his intelligence and his answers.Matthew 7:28; Mark 1:22; Luke 4:22,32; John 7:15,46;">[xr]

When his parentsthey">[fn] saw him, they were shocked. His mother asked him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been worried sick looking for you!"

Then he went down with them and returned to Nazareth; and he remained in submission to them. His mother continued to treasure all these things in her heart.Daniel 7:28; Luke 2:19;">[xr]

Meanwhile, Jesus kept on growing in wisdom and maturity,height">[fn] and in favor with God and his fellow man.1 Samuel 2:26; Luke 2:40;">[xr]

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Caesar Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,

as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; John 1:23;">[xr] "He is a voice calling out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight!

John replied to all of them, "I am baptizing you within">[fn] water, but the one who is stronger than I am is coming, and I am not worthy to untie his sandal straps. It is he who will baptize you within">[fn] the Holy Spirit and fire.Matthew 3:11;">[xr]

His winnowing fork is in his hand to clean up his threshing floor. He will gather the grain into his barn, but he will burn the chaff with inextinguishable fire."Micah 4:12; Matthew 13:30;">[xr]

Now Herod the tetrarch had been rebuked by Johnhim">[fn] because he had marriedbecause of">[fn] his brother's wife Herodias and because of all the evil things Herod had done.Matthew 14:3; Mark 6:17;">[xr]

Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.his ministry">[fn] He was (so it was thought) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,Numbers 4:3,35, 39,43, 47; Matthew 13:55; John 6:42;">[xr]

For it is written,Psalm 91:11;">[xr] 'GodHe">[fn] will put his angels in charge of youto watch over you carefully.

Then Jesushe">[fn] came to Nazareth, where he had been raised. As was his custom, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. When he stood up to read,Matthew 2:23; 13:54; Mark 6:1; Acts 13:14; 17:2;">[xr]