John the Baptist, Son of Zechariah

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea

John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.

But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”

When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee.

At that time John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?”

Meanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ, and he sent his disciples

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?

Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it.

For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’

and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,

because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

and sent to have John beheaded in the prison.

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”

For John came to you in a righteous way and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God.

Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were often fasting. So people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t Your disciples fast like John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees?”

Now King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead!”

For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married.

For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!”

because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed; yet he listened to him gladly.

Then she went out and asked her mother, “What should I request?” And her mother answered, “The head of John the Baptist.”

At once the girl hurried back to the king with her request: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

John’s baptism—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me!”

But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”

Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.

during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John could be the Christ.

John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

Then they said to Him, “John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees frequently fast and pray, but Yours keep on eating and drinking.”

Then John’s disciples informed him about all these things.

So John called two of his disciples and sent them to ask the Lord, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”

When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?’”

So He replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

After John’s messengers had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?

I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John, yet even the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism of John.

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’

When Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, he was perplexed. For some were saying that John had risen from the dead,

“I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this man I hear such things about?” And he kept trying to see Jesus.

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that a prophet of old has arisen.”

One day in a place where Jesus had just finished praying, one of His disciples requested, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the gospel of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”

But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”

There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John.

John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’”

And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”

“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands One you do not know.

All this happened at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him.

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s testimony and followed Jesus.

Now John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because the water was plentiful there, and people kept coming to be baptized.

(For John had not yet been thrown into prison.)

Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the issue of ceremonial washing.

So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Look, Rabbi, the One who was with you beyond the Jordan, the One you testified about—He is baptizing, and everyone is going to Him.”

John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.

When Jesus realized that the Pharisees were aware He was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John

You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.

But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.

Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had first been baptizing, and He stayed there.

Many came to Him and said, “Although John never performed a sign, everything he said about this man was true.”

For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

beginning from John’s baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

You yourselves know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee with the baptism that John proclaimed:

Then I remembered the word of the Lord, as He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

Before the arrival of Jesus, John preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But He is coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’

He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.

“Into what, then, were you baptized?” Paul asked. “The baptism of John,” they replied.

Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”