The Mission of John the Baptist
(Mark 1:1–8; Luke 3:1–20; John 1:19–28)

1Now in those days came John the baptist preaching in the desert part of Judea, 2and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand:

3for this is He who was spoken of by Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the desert, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."

4And this John had his clothes of camels hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then went, out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan, 6and they were baptized by him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

7But when he saw many of the pharisees and sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bring forth therefore fruits becoming: penitents: and do not say within your selves, 9"We have Abraham for our father:" for I tell you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10And now the ax is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore, which yieldeth not good fruit, is cut down and cast into the fire.

11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but He that cometh after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry: He shall baptize you with the holy Spirit and with fire. 12Whose fan is in his hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and gather the wheat into his granary, but will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

The Baptism of Jesus
(Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22; John 1:29–34)

13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized by him: but John refused Him, saying, 14I have need to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me? 15And Jesus answering said unto him, Permit it now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. 16Then he permitted Him. And Jesus as soon as He was baptized came up from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened unto Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and coming upon Him: 17and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.