The Preaching of John the Baptist

1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER [†]AHEAD OF YOU,

WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;

3THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS,

‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE [†]LORD,

MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.’”

4[†]John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness [†]preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And all the region of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6And John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and was eating locusts and wild honey. 7And he was [†]preaching, saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the strap of His sandals. 8I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism of Jesus

9[†]Now it happened that in those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens [†]opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; 11and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”

12And immediately the Spirit drove Him to go out into the wilderness. 13And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.

Jesus Preaches in Galilee

14Now after John had been delivered up into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, [†]preaching the gospel of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God [†]is at hand; repent and [†]believe in the gospel.”

16As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18And immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 19And going on a little farther, He saw [†]James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20And immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away [†]to follow Him.

21And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. 22And they were astonished at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23And immediately there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24saying, “What [†]do we have to do with You, Jesus the Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26And throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. 27And they were all amazed, so that they were arguing among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28And immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.

Simon’s Mother-In-Law and Many Others Healed

29And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to [†]Jesus about her. 31And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she [†]began waiting on them.

32Now when evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.

35And in the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus rose up, went out of the house, and went away to a desolate place, and was praying there. 36And Simon and his companions searched for Him; 37and they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” 38And He said to them, “Let us go elsewhere, to the towns nearby, so that I may [†]preach there also; for that is what I came out for.” 39And He went, [†]preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee and casting out the demons.

40And a leper came to Jesus, pleading with Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41And moved with compassion, He stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42And immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. 43And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, 44and He said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that [†]Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but [†]stayed out in desolate areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.