John Baptizes Jesus

When John grew up, he became a prophet. He lived in the wilderness, ate wild honey and locusts and his clothes were made from camels' hair.

He kept preaching, "Repent, for the kingdom of God is near!" Many Jews came to listen to John's preaching.

Some repented and were baptized when they heard John’s message, but there were many religious leaders who were being baptized just to be seen as religious by others.

To these John said, "You bunch of snakes! Repentance always means a change in your behavior. Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit." All of this was in fulfillment of a prophecy by Isaiah which says, "Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way."

Some Jews asked if John was the Messiah. John replied, "I am not the Messiah, but there is someone coming after me who is much greater than I am. I am not even worthy to untie his shoes."

The next day, Jesus came to be baptized by John. When John saw him, he said, "Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."

John tried to tell Jesus that he was not worthy to baptize him. But Jesus said, "We should do this, because it is right." So John baptized him, but not because Jesus had sinned - he never sinned.

When Jesus came out of the water, the Holy Spirit of God took the appearance of a dove and rested on him. At the same time a voice from heaven said; "You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased."

John said that God had told him, "The Holy Spirit will land on someone you baptize. That one is the Son of God." In this way, God the Father, Jesus the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit were all present in Jesus' baptism.

Immediately after he was baptized, the Holy Spirit sent Jesus out into the desert, where he fasted for forty days and forty nights. During that time he was tempted by Satan.

Satan said, "If you are the Son of God, turn these rocks into bread so you can eat!"

Jesus responded, "It is written, 'Man does not live only on bread, but on every word that God speaks!'"

Then Satan took Jesus to the highest point on the Temple and said, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, 'He will command his angels to catch you so your foot doesn't hit the ground.'"

But Jesus replied, "It is also written, 'Don't test God.'"

Then Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and all their glory and said, "All this I will give you if you bow down and worship me."

Jesus replied, "Away from me, Satan! It is written, 'Only worship the Lord your God.'"

Then Satan left him and angels took care of him.