The Forerunner of the Servant

Matt. 3:1–11; Luke 3:3–16; John 1:19–34

1 The abeginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, bthe Son of God. 2 As it is written in 1the Prophets:

c“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,

Who will prepare Your way before You.”

3 “The dvoice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord;

Make His paths straight.’ ”

4 eJohn came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance 2for the remission of sins. 5 fThen all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

6 Now John was gclothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, h“There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8 iI indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you jwith the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism of the Servant

Matt. 3:13–17; Luke 3:21–23

9 kIt came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 lAnd immediately, coming up 3from the water, He saw the heavens 4parting and the Spirit mdescending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, n“You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

The Temptation of the Servant

Matt. 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13

12 oImmediately the Spirit 5drove Him into the wilderness. 13 And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; pand the angels ministered to Him.

The Work of the Servant

Matt. 4:12–17; Luke 4:14, 15

14 qNow after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, rpreaching the gospel 6of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, s “The time is fulfilled, and tthe kingdom of God 7is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

The First Disciples are Called

Matt. 4:18–22

16 uAnd as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become vfishers of men.” 18 wThey immediately left their nets and followed Him.

19 When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. 20 And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.

Demons are Cast Out

Luke 4:31–37

21 xThen they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the ysynagogue and taught. 22 zAnd they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an aunclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 saying, “Let us alone! bWhat have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I cknow who You are—the dHoly One of God!”

25 But Jesus erebuked him, saying, 8 “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 And when the unclean spirit fhad convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, 9“What is this? What new 1doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 And immediately His gfame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.

Peter’s Mother-in-Law is Healed

Matt. 8:14, 15; Luke 4:38, 39

29 hNow as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31 So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.

Many Healings

Matt. 8:16, 17; 4:23; Luke 4:40–44

32 iAt evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and jcast out many demons; and He kdid not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

35 Now lin the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a 2solitary place; and there He mprayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. 37 When they found Him, they said to Him, n“Everyone ois looking for You.”

38 But He said to them, p“Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because qfor this purpose I have come forth.”

39 rAnd He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and scasting out demons.

A Leper is Cleansed

Matt. 8:1–4; Luke 5:12–16

40 tNow a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

41 Then Jesus, moved with ucompassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 As soon as He had spoken, vimmediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43 And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things wwhich Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

45 xHowever, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; yand they came to Him from every direction.