Study Desk

John the Baptist Prepares the Way^(a)

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah,^[a] the Son of God,^[b](b)

as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"^[c](c)—

"a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"^[d](d)

And so John the Baptist^(e) appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance^(f) for the forgiveness of sins.^(g)

The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist,^(h) and he ate locusts⁽ⁱ⁾ and wild honey.

And this was his message: "After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.^(j)

I baptize you with^[e] water, but he will baptize you with^[f] the Holy Spirit."^(k)

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth⁽ⁿ⁾ in Galilee and was baptized by John^(o) in the Jordan.

Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.^(p)

And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son,^(q) whom I love; with you I am well pleased."^(r)

At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness,

and he was in the wilderness forty days,^(s) being tempted^[g] by Satan.^(t) He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

After John^(v) was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee,^(w) proclaiming the good news of God.^(x)

"The time has come,"^(y) he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe^(z) the good news!"^(aa)

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people."

At once they left their nets and followed him.^(ab)

When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.

Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.