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Mark 1:1-8
The Preaching of
(Matthew 3.1-12; Luke 3.1-18; John 1.19-28)
1This is the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 It began just as God had said in the book written by Isaiah the prophet,
“I am sending my messenger
to get the way ready
for you.
3 In the desert
someone is shouting,
‘Get the road ready
for the Lord!
Make a straight path
for him.’ ”
4So John the Baptist showed up in the desert and told everyone, “Turn back to God and be baptized! Then your sins will be forgiven.”
5From all Judea and Jerusalem crowds of people went to John. They told how sorry they were for their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River.
6 John wore clothes made of camel's hair. He had a leather strap around his waist and ate grasshoppers and wild honey.
7John also told the people, “Someone more powerful is going to come. And I am not good enough even to stoop down and untie his sandals. 8I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”
Mark 1:1-8
John the Baptist prepares the way
1The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way’ –
3‘a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
“Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.” ’
4And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the River Jordan. 6John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt round his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7And this was his message: ‘After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8I baptise you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’
