^5 (A)Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him

^5 (A)Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

³⁵ He was the burning and ^(A)shining lamp, and ^(B)you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.

²³ Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near ^(A)Salim, because there was much water there. ^(B)And they came and were baptized.

^16 (A)“The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.

John Preaches to the People^(A)

⁷ Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, ^(B)“Brood^[a] of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

^7 (A)As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? ^(B)A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸ But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. ⁹ But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, ^(C)and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ For this is he of whom it is written:

¹¹ “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ^12 (E)And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

^25 (A)Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from ^[a]Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.