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?’

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?’

“ 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?’

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,“ Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way,the voice of one crying in the wilderness:‘ Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.And he preached, saying,“ After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.And a voice came from heaven,“ You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Jesus answered them,“ I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me,but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,“ Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”For 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.’”Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him,and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them,“ You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.And 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 for Abraham.Even 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.“ 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 fire.His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

( John bore witness about him, and cried out,“ This was he of whom I said,‘ He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)

And they discussed it with one another, saying,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will say,‘ Why did you not believe him?’

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,“ The voice of one crying in the wilderness:‘ Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways,and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him,“ You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves,‘ We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.Even 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.”And the crowds asked him,“ What then shall we do?”And he answered them,“ Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him,“ Teacher, what shall we do?”And he said to them,“ Collect no more than you are authorized to do.”Soldiers also asked him,“ And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them,“ Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ,John answered them all, saying,“ I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap 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 the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done,added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.

I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”( When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John,but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)“ To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,“‘ We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say,‘ He has a demon.’The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say,‘ Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”

And they came to John and said to him,“ Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness— look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”John answered,“ A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.You yourselves bear me witness, that I said,‘ I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.He must increase, but I must decrease.”He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony.Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true.For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John:“ What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.This is he of whom it is written,“‘ Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who 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 suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

They asked him,“ Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”John answered them,“ I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know,even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said,“ Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!This is he of whom I said,‘ After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”And John bore witness:“ I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me,‘ He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him,and they said to him,“ By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?”Jesus said to them,“ I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.”And they discussed it with one another, saying,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will say,‘ Why then did you not believe him?’But shall we say,‘ From man’?”— they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet.So they answered Jesus,“ We do not know.” And Jesus said to them,“ Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,“ Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his peopleand has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant,the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant usthat we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear,in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins,because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on highto give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him,so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:“ Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,“ He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him.Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue;for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.

How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.But the angel said to him,“ Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God,and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.”Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.