The Mission of John the Baptist
(Matthew 3:1–17; Luke 3:1–22; John 1:19–34)

1The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, God's Son.

2As it has been written in Isaiah the prophet, "Behold, I send My messenger before Thy face, who shall prepare Thy way;

3the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.'"

4John came, who was immersing in the wilderness, and preaching the immersion of repentance unto remission of sins. 5And there went out to him all the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem, and were being immersed by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6And John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leathern girdle about his loins, and ate locusts and wild honey. 7And he preached, saying, "There cometh after me One Who is mightier than I, the latchet of Whose shoes I am not worthy, stooping down, to loose. 8I immersed you in water; but He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit."

9And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was immersed by John into the Jordan. 10And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens rent apart, and the Spirit as a dove descending upon Him. 11And a voice came out of Heaven, saying, "Thou art My Son, the beloved, in Whom I was well pleased."

The Temptation and Preaching of Jesus
(Matthew 4:1–17; Luke 4:1–15)

12And straightway the Spirit driveth Him forth into the wilderness. 13And He was in the wilderness forty days tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts; and the angels were ministering to Him.

14And, after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God, 15and saying, "The time has been fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God, has come near. Repent ye, and believe in the Gospel."

The First Disciples
(Matthew 4:18–22; Luke 5:1–11; John 1:35–42)

16And, passing along by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, Simon's brother, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishers.

17And Jesus said to them, "Come after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." 18And straightway, leaving the nets, they followed Him. 19And going on a little further, He saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, and those in the ship mending the nets. 20And straightway He called them; and leaving their father Zebedee in the boat, with the hired servants, they went away after Him.

Jesus Expels an Unclean Spirit
(Luke 4:31–37)

21And they go into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath, going into the synagogue, He was teaching. 22And they were astonished at His teaching; for He was teaching them as having authority, and not as the scribes. 23And straight-way there was in the synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24saying, "What is there to us and Thee, Jesus, Nazarene? didst Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee Who Thou art, the Holy One of God." 25And Jesus rebuked it, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him." 26And the unclean spirit, having convulsed him, and having cried with a loud voice, came out of him. 27And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What is this? A new teaching! With authority He commandeth even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him!" 28And the report of Him went out straightway everywhere into the whole region of Galilee round about.

Jesus Heals at Peter’s House
(Matthew 8:14–17; Luke 4:38–41)

29And, straightway coming out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30And Simon's mother-in-law was lying sick with fever, and straightway they tell Him of her; 31and, coming to her, He raised her up, having taken her by the hand; and the fever left her, and she was ministering to them.

32And at evening, when the sun did set, they were bringing to Him all who were sick, and those possessed with demons. 33And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34And He healed many that were sick with many kinds of diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him [to be the Christ].

Jesus Prays and Preaches
(Luke 4:42–44)

35And, having risen very early, by night, He went out into a desert place, and was there praying. 36And Simon and those with Him followed after Him, 37and found Him, and say to Him, "All are seeking Thee." 38And He saith to them, "Let us go elsewhere into the neighboring towns, that I may preach there also; for to this end I came forth." 39And He went into their synagogues, throughout all Galilee, preaching, and casting out the demons.

The Leper’s Prayer
(Matthew 8:1–4; Luke 5:12–16)

40And there comes to Him a leper, beseeching Him, and kneeling down to Him, and saying to Him, "If Thou wilt, Thou canst cleanse me!" 41And Jesus, moved with compassion, and stretching forth His hand, touched him, and saith to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." 42And straight-way the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. 43And having strictly charged him, He straightway sent him away, 44and saith to him, "See that you say nothing to any one, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses directed, for a testimony to them." 45But he, going forth, began to publish it much, and to spread abroad the matter; so that He could no more openly enter into a city, but was without in desert places. And they were coming to Him from every quarter.