Get the free app for more features and content.
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

1In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight.”

4Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair, and a leather girdle around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan, 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadʹducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruit that befits repentance, 9and do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; 17and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Featured Resources

Jesus the Royal Priest

Jesus the Royal Priest

After humanity’s failure as the royal priests of Eden, God promises that one ...

BibleProject

Craig Keener: Bad Bible Proof-Texts (Part 2)

Craig Keener: Bad Bible Proof-Texts (Part 2)

https://seedbed.com Seedbed's mission is to gather, connect, and resource ...

Seedbed

Introduction to Matthew

Introduction to Matthew

Dr. Tommy Givens introduces Matthew by emphasizing Jesus’ commitment to minis...

Fuller Studio

Do The Gospels Marginalize Women? — Rebecca McLaughlin

Do The Gospels Marginalize Women? — Rebecca McL...

People often assume that because the four biographies of Jesus were written b...

The Gospel Coalition

The Book of Matthew (Introduction) | Spoken Word

The Book of Matthew (Introduction) | Spoken Word

Watch our Introduction video on the book of Matthew, which outlines the book'...

Spoken Gospel

The Workshop - Can We Trust the Gospels? with Dr. Craig Blomberg

The Workshop - Can We Trust the Gospels? with D...

The Workshop Series offers a chance to consider important topics in a TED-tal...

Denver Seminary

The Gospel

The Gospel

The New Testament contains four ancient biographies of Jesus of Nazareth, and...

BibleProject

Kevin DeYoung on Why You Should Believe in Jesus

Kevin DeYoung on Why You Should Believe in Jesus

Kevin DeYoung points out that Jesus is both a historical fact and a present s...

The Gospel Coalition

Gospel of Matthew Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (Part 1)

Gospel of Matthew Summary: A Complete Animated ...

Watch our overview video on Matthew 1-13, which breaks down the literary desi...

BibleProject

New Testament Summary: A Complete Animated Overview

New Testament Summary: A Complete Animated Over...

Watch our overview video on the New Testament. This video breaks down the lit...

BibleProject

Explore Matthew 3