Study Desk

The beginning^(a) of the gospel^(b) of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.^(c)

As it is written in Isaiah^(d) the prophet:^[a](e) Look, I am sending My messenger ^(f) ahead of You, who will prepare Your way. ^[b]

A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ^(g) Prepare the way for the Lord; ^(h) make His paths straight! ^(i)[c]

John came baptizing^[d](j) in the wilderness^(k) and preaching a baptism of repentance^[e](l) for the forgiveness^(m) of sins.⁽ⁿ⁾

The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem^(o) were flocking to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan^(p) River as they confessed^(q) their sins.^(r)

John wore a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts^(s) and wild honey.^(t)

He was preaching: "Someone more powerful^(u) than I will come after me.^(v) I am not worthy^(w) to stoop down and untie the strap of His sandals.^(x)

I have baptized you with^[f] water,^(y) but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."^(z)

In^(aa) those days Jesus came from Nazareth^(ab) in Galilee^(ac) and was baptized in the Jordan by John.

As soon as He came up out of the water, He saw the heavens^(ad) being torn open and the Spirit descending to Him like a dove.

And a voice^(ae) came from heaven:^(af) You are My beloved^(ag) Son;^(ah) I take delight^(ai) in You!^[g]

Immediately^(aj) the Spirit^(ak) drove^(al) Him into the wilderness.^(am)

He was in the wilderness 40 days, being tempted^(an) by Satan.^(ao) He was with the wild animals,^(ap) and the angels^(aq) began to serve Him.

After^(ar) John was arrested,^(as) Jesus went to Galilee,^(at) preaching^(au) the good news^[h][i](av) of God:^[j](aw)

"The time^(ax) is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God^(ay) has come^(az) near.^(ba) Repent^(bb) and believe^(bc) in the good news!"

As^(bd) He was passing along by the Sea of Galilee,^(be) He saw Simon^(bf) and Andrew,^(bg) Simon's brother. They were casting a net into the sea,^(bh) since they were fishermen.

"Follow Me," ^(bi) Jesus told them, "and I will make you fish for^[k](bj) people!" ^(bk)

Immediately they left their nets and followed^(bl) Him.^(bm)

Going on a little farther, He saw James^(bn) the son of Zebedee^(bo) and his brother John.^(bp) They were in their boat mending their nets.

Immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.^(bq)

Then^(br) they went into Capernaum,^(bs) and right away He entered the synagogue^(bt) on the Sabbath^(bu) and began to teach.^(bv)

They were astonished^(bw) at His teaching^(bx) because, unlike the scribes,^(by) He was teaching them as one having authority.