The Herald of the Messiah
1In those days John the Baptist came,3:1–12 Mk 1:3–8; Lk 3:2–17; Jn 1:6–8,19–28 preaching in the wilderness of Judea3:1 Jos 15:61; Jdg 1:16
2and saying, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!” 3:2 Dn 2:44; Mt 4:17; 6:10; 10:7; Mk 1:15; Lk 10:9; 11:20; 21:31
3For he is the one spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, who said:
A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
Prepare the way for the Lord;
4Now John had a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5Then people from Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the vicinity of the Jordan were going out to him,
7When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees3:7 Mt 16:1; 22:23; 23:15; Ac 4:1; 5:17; 23:6 coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?3:7 Mt 12:34; 23:33; Rm 5:9; 1Th 1:10
8Therefore produce fruit3:8 Mt 3:10; 12:33; 13:8,26; 21:19,34,41,43; Mk 11:14 consistent with3:8 Lit fruit worthy of repentance.
11“I baptize you with3:11 Or in water for repentance,3:11 Mk 1:4,8; Jn 1:26; Ac 1:5 but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove3:11 Or to carry his sandals. He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.3:11 Is 4:4; Jn 1:33; Ac 2:3–4; 11:16; Ti 3:5
The Baptism of Jesus
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.3:13–17 Mk 1:9–11; Lk 3:21–22; Jn 1:31–34
14But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”
15Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized.
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