The Witness John the Baptist

A man came, one sent from God, and his name was John.

John *testified about Him and called out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who is coming after me has proved to be my superior, because He existed before me.’”

The Testimony of John the Baptist

This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”

John answered them, saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know.

These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing people.

And John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.

Jesus’ Public Ministry; First Converts

Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples,

One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

John the Baptist’s Last Testimony

After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea; and there He was spending time with them and baptizing.

Now John also was baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there; and people were coming and being baptized—

for John had not yet been thrown into prison.

Then a matter of dispute developed on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification.

And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing and all the people are coming to Him.”

John replied, “A person can receive not even one thing unless it has been given to him from heaven.

Jesus Goes to Galilee

So then, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that He was making and baptizing more disciples than John

Testimony of John the Baptist

You have sent messengers to John, and he has testified to the truth.

Testimony of Works

But the testimony I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.

And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He stayed there.

Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.”

The Love Question

Now when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.”

He *said to him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep.