Add parallel Print Page Options

The Preaching of John

It was the fifteenth year of the rule of Tiberius Caesar. These men were under Caesar: Pontius Pilate was the ruler of Judea. Herod was the ruler of Galilee. Philip, Herod’s brother, was the ruler of Iturea and Trachonitis. And Lysanias was the ruler of Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time, a command from God came to John son of Zechariah. John was living in the desert. He went all over the area around the Jordan River and preached to the people. He preached a baptism of changed hearts and lives for the forgiveness of their sins. As it is written in the book of Isaiah the prophet:

“This is a voice of a man
    who calls out in the desert:
‘Prepare the way for the Lord.
    Make the road straight for him.
Every valley should be filled in.
    Every mountain and hill should be made flat.
Roads with turns should be made straight,
    and rough roads should be made smooth.
And all people will know about the salvation of God!’” Isaiah 40:3-5

Read full chapter

John the Baptist Prepares the Way(A)(B)

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate(C) was governor of Judea, Herod(D) tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,(E) the word of God came to John(F) son of Zechariah(G) in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.(H) As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.
Every valley shall be filled in,
    every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
    the rough ways smooth.
And all people will see God’s salvation.’”[a](I)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Luke 3:6 Isaiah 40:3-5