Dedication to Theophilus

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us,

And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.

“Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”

But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.

And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.

For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?”

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it.

When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs.

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.”

Who Is the Greatest?

An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.