²⁵ Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis,^[a] Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.^(A)

³ He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.^(A)

²⁸ This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan,^(A) where John was baptizing.

²⁶ They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi,^(A) that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified^(B) about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”