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The Proclamation of John the Baptist

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming,

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A voice cries out:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
    make straight in the desert a highway for our God.(A)
Every valley shall be lifted up,
    and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
    and the rough places a plain.(B)
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
    and all flesh shall see it together,
    for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

A voice says, “Cry out!”
    And I said,[a] “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass;
    their constancy is like the flower of the field.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 40.6 Q ms Gk Vg: MT and he said

11 “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

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24 before his coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.(A) 25 And as John was finishing his work, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the strap of the sandals[a] on his feet.’(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 13.25 Gk untie the sandals

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

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76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High,
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,(A)

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13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.(A) 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,(B) 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.(C) 16 He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.(D) 17 With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”(E)

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14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist but others Elijah and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”(A)

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Then he said, “Into what, then, were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.”(A) Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.”(B)

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22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.”(A)

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24 When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus[a] began to speak to the crowds about John:[b] “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind?

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Footnotes

  1. 7.24 Gk he
  2. 7.24 Gk him

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene,(A) during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.(B) He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
    make his paths straight.(C)
Every valley shall be filled,
    and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
    and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”(D)

John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?(E) Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.(F) Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”(G)

10 And the crowds asked him, “What, then, should we do?”(H) 11 In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none, and whoever has food must do likewise.”(I) 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?”(J) 13 He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.”(K) 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”(L)

15 As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,[a](M) 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire.(N) 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”(O)

18 So with many other exhortations he proclaimed the good news to the people. 19 But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done,(P) 20 added to them all by shutting up John in prison.

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Footnotes

  1. 3.15 Or the Christ
  2. 3.16 Or in

16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”(A)

17 For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod[a] had married her. 18 For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”(B) 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed,[b] and yet he liked to listen to him.(C) 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee.(D) 22 When his daughter Herodias[c] came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests, and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” 23 And he swore[d] to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.”(E) 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” 25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 The king was deeply grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s[e] head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

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Footnotes

  1. 6.17 Gk he
  2. 6.20 Other ancient authorities read he did many things
  3. 6.22 Other ancient authorities read the daughter of Herodias herself
  4. 6.23 Other ancient authorities add solemnly
  5. 6.27 Gk his

15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near;[a] repent, and believe in the good news.”[b](A)

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Footnotes

  1. 1.15 Or is at hand
  2. 1.15 Or gospel

the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
    ‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
    make his paths straight,’ ”(A)

so John the baptizer appeared[a] in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.(B) And the whole Judean region and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him and were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.(C) He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals.(D) I have baptized you with[b] water, but he will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit.”(E)

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Footnotes

  1. 1.4 Other ancient authorities read John was baptizing
  2. 1.8 Or in
  3. 1.8 Or in

32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him, and even after you saw it you did not change your minds and believe him.(A)

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25 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why, then, did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for all regard John as a prophet.”(A) 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

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12 but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.”(A) 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

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and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,(A) because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”(B) Though Herod[a] wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet.(C) But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod so much that he promised on oath to grant her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given; 10 he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who brought it to her mother. 12 His disciples came and took the body and buried him; then they went and told Jesus.

Feeding the Five Thousand

13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 14.5 Gk he

Jesus Praises John the Baptist

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind?(A)

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Therefore, bear fruit worthy of repentance,(A)

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16 The descendants of Hobab[a] the Kenite, Moses’s father-in-law, went up with the people of Judah from the city of palms into the wilderness of Judah, which lies in the Negeb near Arad. Then they went and settled with the Amalekites.[b](A)

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Footnotes

  1. 1.16 Gk: Heb lacks Hobab
  2. 1.16 OL: Heb people

27 John answered, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.(A) 28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah,[a] but I have been sent ahead of him.’(B) 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom who stands and hears him rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled.(C) 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”[b]

The One Who Comes from Heaven

31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all.(D) 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony.(E) 33 Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified[c] this, that God is true.(F) 34 He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.(G) 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands.(H) 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life but must endure God’s wrath.(I)

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Footnotes

  1. 3.28 Or the Christ
  2. 3.30 Some interpreters hold that the quotation continues through 3.36
  3. 3.33 Gk set a seal to

15 (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”) 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.[a](A) 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.(B) 18 No one has ever seen God. It is the only Son, himself God, who[b] is close to the Father’s heart,[c] who has made him known.(C)

The Testimony of John the Baptist

19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed and did not deny it, but he confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”[d](D) 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.”(E) 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said,

“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ ”

as the prophet Isaiah said.(F)

24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, “Why, then, are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah,[e] nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.” 28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

The Lamb of God

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!(G) 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.(H) 33 I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’(I) 34 And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Chosen One.”[f]

The First Disciples of Jesus

35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”(J)

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Footnotes

  1. 1.16 Or grace in place of grace
  2. 1.18 Other ancient authorities read is the only Son who
  3. 1.18 Gk bosom
  4. 1.20 Or the Christ
  5. 1.25 Or the Christ
  6. 1.34 Other ancient authorities read the Son of God

61 In the wilderness, Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah, 62 Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En-gedi: six towns with their villages.

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