John the Baptist and the Baptism of Jesus

In the wilderness, the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah. Near the Jordan he preached that people should repent, because God's kingdom was near, and he baptised them in the river as they confessed their sins. His work matched Isaiah's picture of a voice in the wilderness preparing the Lord's way.

John spoke plainly. He warned that repentance should show in the way people live. He told the crowds to share with those in need, tax collectors to be honest, and soldiers not to misuse their power or make false accusations. When people wondered whether John was the Christ, he said someone greater was coming, who would baptise in the Holy Spirit.

Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. Matthew says John tried to stop him, but Jesus said this was the fitting way to fulfil all righteousness. After Jesus was baptised, the heavens opened. Luke says he was praying, and the Holy Spirit came down on him in bodily form like a dove. Then a voice from heaven declared that Jesus is the beloved Son, well pleasing to God.

John's Gospel highlights John's witness. Priests and Levites sent from Jerusalem asked who he was, and John said he was not the Christ but the voice preparing the Lord's way. The next day, seeing Jesus, John called him the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John testified that he had seen the Spirit descend and remain on Jesus, and that Jesus is the Son of God.