The Mission of John the Baptist
Isaiah 40:1–5; Mark 1:1–8; Luke 3:1–20; John 1:19–28
1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea+ 2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”+ 3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “ A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”+ 4John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.+ 5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.+ 6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.+ 7But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “ You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?+ 8Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.+ 9And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.+ 10The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.+ 11I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.+ 12His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”+The Baptism of Jesus
Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22; John 1:29–34
13At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.+ 14But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”+ 15“Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.+ 16As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him.+ 17And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”+