Study Desk

JohnHe">[fn] went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,Matthew 3:1; Mark 1:4; Luke 1:77;">[xr]

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!

Produce fruit that is consistent with repentance! Don't begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our forefather.' For I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones!

where he was being tempted by the devil for forty days. During those days he ate nothing at all, and when they were over he was hungry.Exodus 34:28; 1 Kings 19:8;">[xr]

He said to Jesus,him">[fn] "I will give you all this authority and the glory of these kingdoms.their glory">[fn] For it has been given to me, and I give it to anyone I please.John 12:31; 14:30; Revelation 13:2,7;">[xr]

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

In truth I tell you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the heaven was closed for three years and six months and there was a severe famine everywhere in the land.1 Kings 17:9; 18:1; James 5:17;">[xr]

Amazement came on all of them, and they kept saying to one another, "What kind of statement is this? For with authority and power he tells the unclean spirits what to do, and they come out!"

At daybreak he left and went to a deserted place, while the crowds kept looking for him. When they came to him, they tried to keep him from leaving them.Mark 1:35;">[xr]

But he said to them, "I have to proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God in the other cities also, for that is what I was sent to do."

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water, and lower your nets for a catch."John 21:6;">[xr]

For Simonhe">[fn] and all the people who were with him were amazed at the number of fish they had caught,

Then Jesushe">[fn] ordered him, "Don't tell anyone. Instead, go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing as Moses commanded as proof to the authorities."to them">[fn]Leviticus 14:4,10, 21-22; Matthew 8:4;">[xr]

Then Levi gave a large banquet at his home for Jesus.him">[fn] A large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.Matthew 9:10; Mark 2:15; Luke 15:1;">[xr]

No one who has been drinking old wine wants new wine, for he says, 'The old is excellent!'"[fn]

How was it that he went into the house of God and took and ate the Bread of the Presence, which was not lawful for anyone but the priests to eat, and gave some of it to his companions?"Leviticus 24:9;">[xr]

Then Jesushe">[fn] looked at his disciples and said,Matthew 5:3; 11:5; James 2:5;">[xr] "How blessed are you who are destitute, for the kingdom of God is yours!

How blessed are you who are hungry now,Isaiah 55:1; 61:3; 65:13; Matthew 5:4,6;">[xr] for you will be satisfied! How blessed are you who are crying now, for you will laugh!

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for your reward in heaven is great! For that's the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets.Matthew 5:12; Acts 5:41; 7:51; Colossians 1:24; James 1:2;">[xr]

"But how terrible it will be for you who are rich,Amos 6:1; Matthew 6:2,5, 16; Luke 12:21; 16:25; James 5:1;">[xr] for you have had your comfort!