Matthew

John the Baptist

In those days, John the Baptist appeared in the desert of Judea, proclaiming:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

It was about him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:

A voice is shouting in the desert,

‘Prepare a way for the Lord;

make his paths straight!’

John wore a leather belt around his waist and a cloak made of camel’s hair; his food was locusts and wild honey.

The people of Jerusalem, all Judea, and the entire Jordan Valley were going out to him,

and they were baptized by him in the Jordan as they confessed their sins.

When he saw several Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them:

“Brood of vipers! Who told you that you could escape the punishment that is to come?

Make it clear that you are serious about your conversion;

and do not think: ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that God can raise children for Abraham from these stones!

The ax is already at the roots of the trees; any tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

I baptize you with water for a change of heart, but the one coming after me is more powerful than I am; in fact, I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

He has the winnowing fork in his hand, and he will clear out his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with inextinguishable fire.”

Baptism of Jesus

At that time, Jesus arrived from Galilee and came to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

But John tried to prevent him and said:

“How is it you come to me? I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?”

But Jesus answered him:

“Let it be like that for now; so that we may fulfill all righteousness.”

Then John agreed.

As soon as he was baptized, Jesus came up out of the water. All at once, the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God come down like a dove and rest upon him.

At the same time, a voice from heaven was heard:

“This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”