The Mission of John the Baptist
(Isaiah 40:1-5; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-20; John 1:19-28)

1Now in those days John the Baptist comes, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.” 3For this is the one having been spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, saying,

“A voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord;

make straight His paths.’”a

4And John himself had his garment of camel’s hair, and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5At that time were going out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan, 6and confessing their sins, were being baptized by him in the Jordan River.

7But having seen many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance. 9And do not presume to say within yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as father.’ For I say to you that out of these stones God is able to raise up children unto Abraham. 10Already now the ax is applied to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11I indeed baptize you withb water unto repentance, but after me is coming He who is mightier than I, of whom I am not worthy to carry the sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire, 12whose winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and will 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)

13Then Jesus comes from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him. 14But John was hindering Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”

15But Jesus answering, said unto him, “Permit it presently; for thus it is fitting to us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permits Him.

16And immediately, having been baptized, Jesus went up from the water; and behold, the heavens were openedc and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and alighting upon Him. 17And behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I was well pleased.”