Font Size
Matthew 3:1
King James Version
Matthew 3:1
King James Version
3 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
Read full chapter
Matthew 3:1
New International Version
Matthew 3:1
New International Version
John the Baptist Prepares the Way(A)
3 In those days John the Baptist(B) came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
Isaiah 40:3-6
King James Version
Isaiah 40:3-6
King James Version
3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
Read full chapter
Isaiah 40:3-6
New International Version
Isaiah 40:3-6
New International Version
3 A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
the way(A) for the Lord[a];
make straight(B) in the desert
a highway for our God.[b](C)
4 Every valley shall be raised up,(D)
every mountain and hill(E) made low;
the rough ground shall become level,(F)
the rugged places a plain.
5 And the glory(G) of the Lord will be revealed,
and all people will see it together.(H)
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”(I)
6 A voice says, “Cry out.”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All people are like grass,(J)
and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
Footnotes
- Isaiah 40:3 Or A voice of one calling in the wilderness: / “Prepare the way for the Lord
- Isaiah 40:3 Hebrew; Septuagint make straight the paths of our God
Matthew 11:11
King James Version
Matthew 11:11
King James Version
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Read full chapter
Matthew 11:11
New International Version
Matthew 11:11
New International Version
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
John 1:6-8
King James Version
John 1:6-8
King James Version
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
Read full chapter
John 1:6-8
New International Version
John 1:6-8
New International Version
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John.(A) 7 He came as a witness to testify(B) concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.(C) 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
Matthew 16:14
King James Version
Matthew 16:14
King James Version
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Read full chapter
Matthew 16:14
New International Version
Matthew 16:14
New International Version
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist;(A) others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”(B)
Acts 19:3-4
King James Version
Acts 19:3-4
King James Version
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Read full chapter
Acts 19:3-4
New International Version
Acts 19:3-4
New International Version
3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.
4 Paul said, “John’s baptism(A) was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”(B)
Acts 13:24-25
King James Version
Acts 13:24-25
King James Version
24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
Read full chapter
Acts 13:24-25
New International Version
Acts 13:24-25
New International Version
24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.(A) 25 As John was completing his work,(B) he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for.(C) But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’(D)
Acts 1:22
King James Version
Acts 1:22
King James Version
22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
Read full chapter
Acts 1:22
New International Version
Acts 1:22
New International Version
22 beginning from John’s baptism(A) to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness(B) with us of his resurrection.”
Luke 7:24
King James Version
Luke 7:24
King James Version
24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
Read full chapter
Luke 7:24
New International Version
Luke 7:24
New International Version
24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
Luke 3:1-20
King James Version
Luke 3:1-20
King James Version
3 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
18 And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.
19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,
20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.
Read full chapter
Luke 3:1-20
New International Version
Luke 3:1-20
New International Version
John the Baptist Prepares the Way(A)(B)
3 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— 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,(E) the word of God came to John(F) son of Zechariah(G) in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.(H) 4 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.
5 Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”[a](I)
7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers!(J) Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?(K) 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’(L) For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”(M)
10 “What should we do then?”(N) the crowd asked.
11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”(O)
12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized.(P) “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,”(Q) he told them.
14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely(R)—be content with your pay.”
15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John(S) might possibly be the Messiah.(T) 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with[b] water.(U) But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit and fire.(V) 17 His winnowing fork(W) is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”(X) 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.
19 But when John rebuked Herod(Y) the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.(Z)
Luke 1:13-17
King James Version
Luke 1:13-17
King James Version
13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Read full chapter
Luke 1:13-17
New International Version
Luke 1:13-17
New International Version
13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid,(A) Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.(B) 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,(C) 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,(D) and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit(E) even before he is born.(F) 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord,(G) in the spirit and power of Elijah,(H) to turn the hearts of the parents to their children(I) and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”(J)
John 3:27-36
King James Version
John 3:27-36
King James Version
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Read full chapter
John 3:27-36
New International Version
John 3:27-36
New International Version
27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’(A) 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom.(B) The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.(C) 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”[a]
31 The one who comes from above(D) is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth.(E) The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard,(F) but no one accepts his testimony.(G) 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent(H) speaks the words of God, for God[b] gives the Spirit(I) without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.(J) 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,(K) but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
John 1:15-36
King James Version
John 1:15-36
King James Version
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
Read full chapter
John 1:15-36
New International Version
John 1:15-36
New International Version
15 (John testified(A) concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)(B) 16 Out of his fullness(C) we have all received grace(D) in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses;(E) grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.(F) 18 No one has ever seen God,(G) but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[a](H) is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah
19 Now this was John’s(I) testimony when the Jewish leaders[b](J) in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”(K)
21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”(L)
He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”(M)
He answered, “No.”
22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness,(N) ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”[c](O)
24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 “I baptize with[d] water,”(P) John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me,(Q) the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”(R)
28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan,(S) where John was baptizing.
John Testifies About Jesus
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God,(T) who takes away the sin of the world!(U) 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’(V) 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.(W) 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water(X) told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’(Y) 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”[e](Z)
John’s Disciples Follow Jesus(AA)
35 The next day John(AB) was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”(AC)
Footnotes
- John 1:18 Some manuscripts but the only Son, who
- John 1:19 The Greek term traditionally translated the Jews (hoi Ioudaioi) refers here and elsewhere in John’s Gospel to those Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus; also in 5:10, 15, 16; 7:1, 11, 13; 9:22; 18:14, 28, 36; 19:7, 12, 31, 38; 20:19.
- John 1:23 Isaiah 40:3
- John 1:26 Or in; also in verses 31 and 33 (twice)
- John 1:34 See Isaiah 42:1; many manuscripts is the Son of God.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.