Preaching of John the Baptist

1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God,

2just as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“BEHOLD, I AM SENDING MY MESSENGER [a]BEFORE YOU,

WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;

3THE VOICE OF ONE CALLING [b]OUT IN THE WILDERNESS,

‘PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD,

MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!’” 4John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, [c]preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and [d]his diet was locusts and wild honey. 7And he was [e]preaching, saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to bend down and untie the straps of His sandals. 8I baptized you [f]with water; but He will baptize you [g]with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism of Jesus

9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens [h]opening, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon Him; 11and a voice came from the heavens: “You are My beloved Son; in You I [i]am well pleased.”

12And immediately the Spirit *brought Him out into the wilderness. 13And He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving Him.

Jesus Preaches in Galilee

14Now after John was [j]taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, [k]preaching the gospel of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God [l]is at hand; repent and [m]believe in the gospel.”

16As He was going along the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will have you become fishers of people.” 18Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 19And going on a little farther, He saw [n]James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, [o]who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and went away [p]to follow Him.

21They *went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and began to teach. 22And they were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24saying, “What [q]business do you have with us, Jesus [r]of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are: the Holy One of God!” 25And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26After throwing him into convulsions and crying out with a loud voice, the unclean spirit came out of him. 27And they were all amazed, so they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding region of Galilee.

Crowds Healed

29And immediately after they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with [s]James and John. 30Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and they immediately *spoke to [t]Jesus about her. 31And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she served them.

32Now when evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew [u]who He was.

35And in the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and prayed there for a time. 36Simon and his companions eagerly searched for Him; 37and they found Him and *said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” 38He *said to them, “Let’s go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may also [v]preach there; for this is why I came.” 39And He went into their synagogues [w]preaching throughout Galilee, and casting out the demons.

40And a man with [x]leprosy *came to [y]Jesus, imploring Him and kneeling down, and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and *said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, 44and He *said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45But he went out and began to proclaim it [z]freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that [aa]Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but [ab]stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.

[a] 2 Lit before your face
[b] 3 Or out, Prepare in the wilderness the way
[c] 4 Or proclaiming
[d] 6 Lit was eating
[e] 7 Or proclaiming
[f] 8 The Gr here can be translated in, with, or by
[g] 8 The Gr here can be translated in, with, or by
[h] 10 Or being parted
[i] 11 Or delight
[j] 14 Lit handed over
[k] 14 Or proclaiming
[l] 15 Lit has come near
[m] 15 Or put your trust in
[n] 19 Or Jacob
[o] 19 Lit also them in
[p] 20 Lit after Him
[q] 24 Lit What to us and to You (an ancient idiom)
[r] 24 Or the Nazarene
[s] 29 Or Jacob
[t] 30 Lit Him
[u] 34 Lit Him
[v] 38 Or proclaim
[w] 39 Or proclaiming
[x] 40 I.e., leprosy or a serious, unspecified disease, and so throughout the ch; see Lev 13
[y] 40 Lit Him
[z] 45 Lit much
[aa] 45 Lit He
[ab] 45 Lit was