约翰的洗礼是从哪里来的？是从天上来的？是从人间来的呢？”他们彼此商议说：“我们若说‘从天上来’，他必对我们说：‘这样，你们为什么不信他呢？’

约翰的洗礼是从哪里来的？是从天上来的，还是从人间来的呢？”他们彼此商议说：“我们若说‘从天上来的’，他会对我们说：‘这样，你们为什么不信他呢？’

约翰的洗礼是从哪里来的？是从天上来的，还是从人间来的呢？”他们彼此商议说：“我们若说‘从天上来的’，他会对我们说：‘这样，你们为什么不信他呢？’

约翰的洗礼是从哪里来的？从天上来的，还是从人来的？”他们便彼此议论说：“如果我们说‘是从天上来的’，祂一定会问我们，‘那你们为什么不信他？’

约翰的洗礼是从哪里来的呢？是从天上来的，还是从人来的呢？”他们就彼此议论：“如果我们说‘是从天上来的’，他会问我们‘那你们为什么不信他呢？’

约翰的洗礼是从哪里来的？是来自天上，还是来自人间呢？”他们就彼此讨论，说：“如果我们说‘是来自天上’，他就会问我们‘那么你们为什么不相信他呢？’

約翰的洗禮是從哪裏來的？是從天上來的？是從人間來的呢？」他們彼此商議說：「我們若說『從天上來』，他必對我們說：『這樣，你們為甚麼不信他呢？』

約翰的洗禮是從哪裏來的？是從天上來的，還是從人間來的呢？」他們彼此商議說：「我們若說『從天上來的』，他會對我們說：『這樣，你們為甚麼不信他呢？』

約翰的洗禮是從哪裏來的？是從天上來的，還是從人間來的呢？」他們彼此商議說：「我們若說『從天上來的』，他會對我們說：『這樣，你們為甚麼不信他呢？』

約翰的洗禮是從哪裡來的？從天上來的，還是從人來的？」他們便彼此議論說：「如果我們說『是從天上來的』，祂一定會問我們，『那你們為什麼不信他？』

約翰的洗禮是從哪裡來的呢？是從天上來的，還是從人來的呢？”他們就彼此議論：“如果我們說‘是從天上來的’，他會問我們‘那你們為甚麼不信他呢？’

約翰的洗禮是從哪裏來的？是由於天呢？還是由於人呢？』他們就彼此議論說：『我們若說「由於天」呢，他就會對我們說：「那你們為甚麼不信他？」

約翰的洗禮是從哪裡來的？是來自天上，還是來自人間呢？」他們就彼此討論，說：「如果我們說『是來自天上』，他就會問我們『那麼你們為什麼不相信他呢？』

約翰之洗自奚、自天乎、自人乎、眾竊議曰、若云自天、彼必曰、曷不信之、

約翰施洗、由天乎、由人乎、眾竊議曰、若云由天、彼必曰、曷不信之、

約翰之施洗何自、自天乎、自人乎、眾竊議曰、若云自天、彼必曰、然則何不信之、

夫如望之洗、何自而來、自天乎、自人乎？』若輩私議曰：

John’s baptism— where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?” They discussed it among themselves and said,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will ask,‘ Then why didn’t you believe him?’

Where did John’s baptism come from? Was it from heaven? Or did it come from human authority?” They talked to one another about it. They said,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will ask,‘ Then why didn’t you believe him?’

The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will say to us,‘ Why then did you not believe him?’

“ Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?” They talked it over among themselves.“ If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John.

Did John’s baptism come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” They discussed it among themselves,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will say to us,‘ Then why didn’t you believe him?’

The baptism of John was from what source: from heaven or from men?” And they began considering the implications among themselves, saying,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ He will say to us,‘ Then why did you not believe him?’

The baptism of John— where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ He will say to us,‘ Why then did you not believe him?’

The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why then did ye not believe him?

Where did John’s baptism come from? From heaven or from men?” They began to argue among themselves,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ He will say to us,‘ Then why didn’t you believe him?’

The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

Where did John’s baptism come from? From heaven or from people?” They discussed this among themselves, saying,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will say,‘ Then why did you not believe him?’

The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” They reasoned with themselves, saying,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will ask us,‘ Why then did you not believe him?’

(niv)

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:“ I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”—“ a voice of one calling in the wilderness,‘ Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.And 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.I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.And a voice came from heaven:“ You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (niv)

Jesus answered,“ I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me,but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. (niv)

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judeaand saying,“ Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:“ A voice of one calling in the wilderness,‘ Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them:“ You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.And do not think you can say to yourselves,‘ We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.“ I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (niv)

( John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying,“ This is the one I spoke about when I said,‘ He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) (niv)

They discussed it among themselves and said,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will ask,‘ Why didn’t you believe him?’ (niv)

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (niv)

during the high- priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:“ A voice of one calling in the wilderness,‘ Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.And all people will see God’s salvation.’”John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him,“ You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves,‘ We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”“ What should we do then?” the crowd asked.John answered,“ Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”Even tax collectors came to be baptized.“ Teacher,” they asked,“ what should we do?”“ Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.Then some soldiers asked him,“ And what should we do?” He replied,“ Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely— be content with your pay.”The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.John answered them all,“ I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done,Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison. (niv)

I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”( All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)Jesus went on to say,“ To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:“‘ We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say,‘ He has a demon.’The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say,‘ Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” (niv)

They came to John and said to him,“ Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan— the one you testified about— look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”To this John replied,“ A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.You yourselves can testify that I said,‘ I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.He must become greater; I must become less.”The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. (niv)

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John:“ What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.This is the one about whom it is written:“‘ I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it.For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.Whoever has ears, let them hear. (niv)

questioned him,“ Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”“ I baptize with water,” John replied,“ but among you stands one you do not know.He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said,“ Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!This is the one I meant when I said,‘ A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”Then John gave this testimony:“ I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,‘ The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” (niv)

They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him.“ By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked.“ And who gave you authority to do this?”Jesus replied,“ I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.John’s baptism— was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”They discussed it among themselves and said,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will ask,‘ Then why didn’t you believe him?’But if we say,‘ Of human origin’…”( They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)So they answered Jesus,“ We don’t know.” Jesus said,“ Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” (niv)

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. (niv)

His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:“ Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David( as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us—to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant,the oath he swore to our father Abraham:to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fearin holiness and righteousness before him all our days.And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heavento shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel. (niv)

Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:“ Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:“ He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn— and I would heal them.”Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;for they loved human praise more than praise from God. (niv)

“ You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth.Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved.John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.“ I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish— the very works that I am doing— testify that the Father has sent me. (niv)

How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?“ But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set.If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?” (niv)

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.But the angel said to him:“ Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous— to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (niv)

But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.”Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. (niv)