Mark 1:1–11

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

¹The beginning of the good news^a of Jesus Christ.^b*

²As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,^c

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,^d

who will prepare your way,^*

³the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord;

make his paths straight,’ ”^*

⁴so John the baptizer appeared^e in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.^{* 5}And the whole Judean region and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him and were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins. ⁶Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.^{* 7}He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals.^{* 8}I have baptized you with^f water, but he will baptize you with^g the Holy Spirit.”^*

The Baptism of Jesus

⁹In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.^{* 10}And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove upon him.^{* 11}And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my Son, the Beloved;^h with you I am well pleased.”^*