The Mission of John the Baptist (Isaiah 40:1–5; Mark 1:1–8; Luke 3:1–20; John 1:19–28)
1 AKJV In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, BSB BSB: In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
2 AKJV And saying, Repent you: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. BSB BSB: and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
3 AKJV For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare you the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. BSB BSB: This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”
4 AKJV And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leather girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. BSB BSB: John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
5 AKJV Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, BSB BSB: People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.
6 AKJV And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. BSB BSB: Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7 AKJV But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said to them, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? BSB BSB: But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8 AKJV Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: BSB BSB: Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.
9 AKJV And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say to you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. BSB BSB: And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
10 AKJV And now also the ax is laid to the root of the trees: therefore every tree which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. BSB BSB: The 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.
11 AKJV I indeed baptize you with water to repentance. but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: BSB BSB: I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
12 AKJV Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. BSB BSB: His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
The Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22; John 1:29–34)
13 AKJV Then comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be baptized of him. BSB BSB: At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
14 AKJV But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of you, and come you to me? BSB BSB: But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
15 AKJV And Jesus answering said to him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. BSB BSB: “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.
17 AKJV And see a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. BSB BSB: And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”