John the Baptist Prepares the Way

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.”

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ ”

and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it.

And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.

Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”

And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar.”

Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it.

When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?