Mark 1:1–11

The Preaching of John the Baptist

1This is the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.^{a 2*}It began as the prophet Isaiah had written: “God said,

‘I will send my messenger ahead of you

to clear the way for you.’

^3*Someone is shouting in the desert,

‘Get the road ready for the Lord;

make a straight path for him to travel!’ ”

⁴So John appeared in the desert, baptizing and preaching.^b “Turn away from your sins and be baptized,” he told the people, “and God will forgive your sins.” ⁵Many people from the province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem went out to hear John. They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the River Jordan.

^6*John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁷He announced to the people, “The man who will come after me is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to bend down and untie his sandals. ⁸I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus

⁹Not long afterwards Jesus came from Nazareth in the province of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, he saw heaven opening and the Spirit coming down on him like a dove. ^11*And a voice came from heaven, “You are my own dear Son. I am pleased with you.”