The Preaching of John the Baptist
1 The beginning of the [facts regarding the] good news ofJesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is writtenandforever remains in the [writings of the] prophet Isaiah:
“Behold, IsendMy messengerahead ofYou,
Who will prepareYour way–
3 Avoice of one shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way of theLord,
MakeHis paths straight!’”
4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins [that is, requiring a change of one’s old way of thinking, turning away from sin and seeking God and His righteousness].
5 And all the country of Judea and all the people of Jerusalem werecontinuallygoing out to him; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.
6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a [wide] leatherband around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 And he was preaching, saying, “After me comes He who is mightier [more powerful, more noble] than I, and I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the straps of His sandals [even as His slave].
8 As for me, I baptized you [who came to me] with water [only]; but He will baptize you [who truly repent]with the Holy Spirit.”
The Baptism of Jesus
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
10 Immediately coming up out of the water, he (John) saw the heavens torn open, and theSpirit like a dove descending on Him (Jesus);
11 and avoice came out of heaven saying: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleasedanddelighted!”
12 Immediately the [Holy] Spirit forced Him out into the wilderness.
13 He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted [to do evil] by Satan; and He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministeredcontinuallyto Him.
Jesus Preaches in Galilee
14 Now after John [the Baptist] was arrestedandtaken into custody, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the good news of [the kingdom of] God,
15 and saying,“The[appointed period of]time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent[change your inner self–your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life]and believe[with a deep, abiding trust]in the good news[regarding salvation].”
16 As Jesus was walking by the shore of theSea of Galilee, He saw Simon [Peter] and Simon’s brother,Andrew, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen.
17 And Jesus said to them,“Follow Me[as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk],and I will make you fishers of men.”
18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example].
19 Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, who were also in the boat mendingandcleaning the nets.
20 Immediately Jesus called to them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers, and went away to follow Him [becoming His disciples, believing and trusting in Him and following His example].
21 They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue andbeganto teach.
22 They were completely amazed at His teaching; because He was teaching them as one having [God-given] authority, and not as the scribes.
23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out [terribly from the depths of his throat],
24 saying, “What business do You have with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are–the Holy One of God!”
25 Jesus rebuked him, saying,“Be quiet (muzzled, silenced), and come out of him!”
26 The unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions, and screeching with a loud voice, came out of him.
27 They were all so amazed that they debatedandquestioned each other, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits (demons), and they obey Him.”
28 Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere throughout the district surrounding Galilee.
Healing the Crowds
29 And immediately they left the synagogue and went into the house of Simon [Peter] and Andrew, accompanied by James and John.
30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they told Him about her.
31 Jesus went to her, and taking her by the hand, raised her up; and the fever left her, and shebeganto serve them [as her guests].
32 Now when evening came, after the sun had set [and the Sabbath Day had ended, in a steady stream] they were bringing to Him all who were sick and those who were under the power of demons,
33 until [it seemed as though] the whole city had gathered together at the door.
34 And Jesus healed many who were suffering with various diseases; and He drove out many demons, but would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him [recognizing Him as the Son of God].
35 Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left [the house], and went out to a secluded place, and was praying there.
36 Simon [Peter] and his companions searched [everywhere, looking anxiously] for Him,
37 and they found Him and said, “Everybody is looking for You!”
38 He replied,“Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so I may preach there also; that is why I came[from the Father].”
39 So He went throughout Galilee, preaching [the gospel] in their synagogues and casting out demons.
40 And a leper came to Him, begging Him and falling on his knees before Him, saying, “If You are willing, You are able to make meclean.”
41 Moved with compassion [for his suffering], Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and said to him,“I am willing; be cleansed.”
42 The leprosy left him immediately and he was cleansed [completely healed and restored to health].
43 And Jesus [deeply moved] admonished him sternly and sent him away immediately,
44 saying to him,“See that you tell no one anything[about this];but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your purification what Moses commanded, as proof to them[that you are really healed].”
45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news [of his healing], to such an extent that Jesus could no longer openly enter a city [where He was known], but stayed out in the unpopulated places; yet people were still coming to Him from everywhere.