John the Baptist Prepares the Way
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, athe Son of God.
2 aAs it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
b“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
3 athe voice of one crying in the wilderness:
b‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
4 aJohn appeared, baptizing in bthe wilderness and proclaiming ca baptism of drepentance efor the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, aconfessing their sins. 6 Now John was aclothed with camel’s hair and awore a leather belt around his waist and ate blocusts and cwild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, a“After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 aI have baptized you with water, but bhe will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
The Baptism of Jesus
9 aIn those days Jesus bcame from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he asaw bthe heavens being torn open cand the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And aa voice came from heaven, b“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
The Temptation of Jesus
12 aThe Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 aAnd he was in the wilderness forty days, being btempted by cSatan. And he was with the wild animals, and dthe angels were ministering to him.
Jesus Begins His Ministry
14 aNow after John was arrested, Jesus bcame into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, a“The time is fulfilled, and bthe kingdom of God is at hand; crepent and believe in the gospel.”
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
16 aPassing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become afishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit
21 aAnd they went into Capernaum, and immediately bon the Sabbath che entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And athey were astonished at his teaching, afor he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 a“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? bI know who you are—cthe Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus arebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, aconvulsing him and bcrying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all aamazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? bA new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
Jesus Heals Many
29 aAnd immediately he bleft the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now aSimon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and atook her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or aoppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 aAnd he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And bhe would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
Jesus Preaches in Galilee
35 aAnd rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and bthere he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, a“Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for athat is why I came out.” 39 aAnd bhe went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
40 aAnd a leper came to him, imploring him, and bkneeling said to him, c“If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And aJesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, a“See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, bshow yourself to the priest and coffer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, dfor a proof to them.” 45 aBut he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter ba town, but was out in bdesolate places, and cpeople were coming to him from every quarter.