The Mission of John the Baptist
(Isaiah 40:1–5; Matthew 3:1–12; Mark 1:1–8; John 1:19–28)

1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar (Emporer), while Pontius Pilate (armed with a spear) was governor of Judea (land of praise), Herod (heroic) tetrarch of Galilee (circuit), his brother Philip (friend of horses) tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word {rhēma} of God {Theou} came to John (YHWH is gracious) son of Zechariah (YHWH remembers) in the wilderness (solitary place).

3He went into all the region around the Jordan (flowing down), preaching a baptism (submersion) of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4as it is written in the book (papyrus roll) of the words of Isaiah (YHWH saves) the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness (solitary place),

‘Prepare the way for the Lord {Kyriou},

make straight paths for Him.

5Every valley shall be filled in,

and every mountain and hill made low.

The crooked ways shall be made straight,

and the rough ways smooth.

6And all humanity will see God’s {Theou} salvation \And all flesh will see God’s salvation/.’”a

7Then John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized (submerged) by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you⁺ to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham (father of many) as our father {Patera}.’ For I tell you⁺ that out of these stones God {Theos} can raise up children for Abraham. 9The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?”

11John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”

12Even tax collectors came to be baptized (submerged). “Teacher {Didaskale},” they asked, “what should we do?”

13“Collect no more than you⁺ are authorized,” he answered.

14Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

“Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your⁺ wages.”

15The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John (YHWH is gracious) could be the Christ (the Anointed One). 16John (YHWH is gracious) answered all of them: “I baptize (submerge) you⁺ with water (in water),b but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie <Act 13:25>.c He will baptize you⁺ with the Holy Spirit {Hagiō Pneumati} and with fire (in the Holy Spirit and in fire).d 17His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

18With these and many other exhortations, John proclaimed the good news to the people. 19But when he rebuked Herod (heroic) the tetrarch regarding his brother’s wife Herodias and all the evils he had done, 20Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

The Baptism of Jesus
(Matthew 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; John 1:29–34)

21When all the people were being baptized (submerged), Jesus (YHWH saves) was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened, 22and the Holy Spirit {Hagion Pneuma} descended on Him in a bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved {agapētos} Son; in You I am well pleased.”

The Genealogy of Jesus
(Ruth 4:18–22; Matthew 1:1–17)

23Jesus (YHWH saves) Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry.

He was regarded as the son of Joseph (he will add),

the son of Heli,

24the son of Matthat, the son of Levi (attached to), the son of Melchi,

the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph (he will add),

25the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos (load), the son of Nahum (comfort),

the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,

26the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein,

the son of Josech (he will add), the son of Joda,

27the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel,

the son of Shealtiel (I have asked of God), the son of Neri,

28the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam,

the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,

29the son of Joshua (YHWH saves), the son of Eliezer (my God is help), the son of Jorim,

the son of Matthat, the son of Levi (attached to),

30the son of Simeon, the son of Judah (praise), the son of Joseph (he will add),

the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim (God raises),

31the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha,

the son of Nathan (he gave), the son of David (beloved),

32the son of Jesse (gift), the son of Obed (serving), the son of Boaz (swiftness),

the son of Sala [Salmon],e the son of Nahshon,

33the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin [Aram],f the son of Arni,g

the son of Hezron, the son of Perez (breach, burst forth), the son of Judah (praise),

34the son of Jacob (he grasps the heel), the son of Isaac (he will laugh), the son of Abraham (father of many),

the son of Terah (station), the son of Nahor (snorting),

35the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg (division),

the son of Eber (region beyond), the son of Shelah,

36the son of Cainan (sorrow), the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem (name),

the son of Noah (comfort), the son of Lamech (lamenting),

37the son of Methuselah (his death shall bring), the son of Enoch (teaching), the son of Jared (descended),

the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan (sorrow),

38the son of Enosh (mortal),h the son of Seth (appointed), the son of Adam (man),

the son of God {Theou}.