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?’

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?’

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?’

This is the beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.Long ago Isaiah the prophet wrote,“ I will send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare your way.”( Malachi 3:1)“ A messenger is calling out in the desert,‘ Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for him.’ ”( Isaiah 40:3)And so John the Baptist appeared in the desert. He preached that people should be baptized and turn away from their sins. Then God would forgive them.All the people from the countryside of Judea went out to him. All the people from Jerusalem went too. When they admitted they had sinned, John baptized them in the Jordan River.John wore clothes made out of camel’s hair. He had a leather belt around his waist. And he ate locusts and wild honey.Here is what John was preaching.“ After me, there is someone coming who is more powerful than I am. I’m not good enough to bend down and untie his sandals.I baptize you with water. But he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee. John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River.Jesus was coming up out of the water. Just then he saw heaven being torn open. Jesus saw the Holy Spirit coming down on him like a dove.A voice spoke to him from heaven. It said,“ You are my Son, and I love you. I am very pleased with you.”

Jesus answered,“ I did tell you. But you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name are a witness for me.But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep.

In those days John the Baptist came and preached in the Desert of Judea.He said,“ Turn away from your sins! The kingdom of heaven has come near.”John is the one Isaiah the prophet had spoken about. He had said,“ A messenger is calling out in the desert,‘ Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for him.’ ”( Isaiah 40:3)John’s clothes were made out of camel’s hair. 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. They also came from the whole area around the Jordan River.When they confessed their sins, John baptized them in the Jordan.John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing. He said to them,“ You are like a nest of poisonous snakes! Who warned you to escape the coming of God’s anger?Live in a way that shows you have turned away from your sins.Don’t think you can say to yourselves,‘ Abraham is our father.’ I tell you, God can raise up children for Abraham even from these stones.The ax is ready to cut the roots of the trees. All the trees that don’t produce good fruit will be cut down. They will be thrown into the fire.“ I baptize you with water, calling you to turn away from your sins. But after me, someone is coming who is more powerful than I am. I’m not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.His pitchfork is in his hand to clear the straw from his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the storeroom. But he will burn up the husks with fire that can’t be put out.”

John was a witness about the Word. John cried out and said,“ This was the one I was talking about. I said,‘ He who comes after me is more important than I am. He is more important because he existed before I was born.’ ”

They talked to one another about it. They said,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will ask,‘ Why didn’t you believe him?’

Anyone who believes in him is not judged. But anyone who does not believe is judged already. They have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Annas and Caiaphas were high priests. At that time God’s word came to John, son of Zechariah, in the desert.He went into all the countryside around the Jordan River. There he preached that people should be baptized and turn away from their sins. Then God would forgive them.Here is what is written in the book of Isaiah the prophet. It says,“ A messenger is calling out in the desert,‘ Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for him.Every valley will be filled in. Every mountain and hill will be made level. The crooked roads will become straight. The rough ways will become smooth.And all people will see God’s salvation.’ ”( Isaiah 40:3–5)John spoke to the crowds coming to be baptized by him. He said,“ You are like a nest of poisonous snakes! Who warned you to escape the coming of God’s anger?Live in a way that shows you have turned away from your sins. And don’t start saying to yourselves,‘ Abraham is our father.’ I tell you, God can raise up children for Abraham even from these stones.The ax is already lying at the roots of the trees. All the trees that don’t produce good fruit will be cut down. They will be thrown into the fire.”“ Then what should we do?” the crowd asked.John answered,“ Anyone who has extra clothes should share with the one who has none. And anyone who has extra 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,” John told them.Then some soldiers asked him,“ And what should we do?” John replied,“ Don’t force people to give you money. Don’t bring false charges against people. Be happy with your pay.”The people were waiting. They were expecting something. They were all wondering in their hearts if John might be the Messiah.John answered them all,“ I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I am will come. I’m not good enough to untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.His pitchfork is in his hand to toss the straw away from his threshing floor. He will gather the wheat into his barn. But he will burn up the husks with fire that can’t be put out.”John said many other things to warn the people. He also announced the good news to them.But John found fault with Herod, the ruler of Galilee, because of his marriage to Herodias. She was the wife of Herod’s brother. John also spoke strongly to Herod about all the other evil things he had done.So Herod locked John up in prison. Herod added this sin to all his others.

I tell you, no one more important than John has ever been born. But the least important person in God’s kingdom is more important than John is.”All the people who heard Jesus’ words agreed that God’s way was right. Even the tax collectors agreed. These people had all been baptized by John.But the Pharisees and the authorities on the law did not accept for themselves God’s purpose. So they had not been baptized by John.Jesus went on to say,“ What can I compare today’s people to? What are they like?They are like children sitting in the market and calling out to each other. They say,“‘ We played the flute for you. But you didn’t dance. We sang a funeral song. But you didn’t cry.’That is how it has been with John the Baptist. When he came to you, he didn’t eat bread or drink wine. And you say,‘ He has a demon.’But when the Son of Man came, he ate and drank as you do. And you say,‘ This fellow is always eating and drinking far too much. He’s a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’All who follow wisdom prove that wisdom is right.”

They came to John and here is what they said to him.“ Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan River is baptizing people. He is the one you told us about. Everyone is going to him.”John replied,“ A person can receive only what God gives them from heaven.You yourselves are witnesses that I said,‘ I am not the Messiah. I was sent ahead of him.’The bride belongs to the groom. The friend who helps the groom waits and listens for him. He is full of joy when he hears the groom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.He must become more important. I must become less important.“ The one who comes from above is above everything. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks like someone from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above everything.He is a witness to what he has seen and heard. But no one accepts what he says.Anyone who has accepted it has said,‘ Yes. God is truthful.’The one whom God has sent speaks God’s words. That’s because God gives the Holy Spirit without limit.The Father loves the Son and has put everything into his hands.Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life. Anyone who does not believe in the Son will not have life. God’s anger remains on them.”

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. He said,“ What did you go out into the desert to see? Tall grass waving in the wind?If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. People 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.He is the one written about in Scripture. It says,“‘ I will send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare your way for you.’( Malachi 3:1)What I’m about to tell you is true. No one more important than John the Baptist has ever been born. But the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is more important than he is.Since the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven has been under attack. And violent people are taking hold of it.All the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came.If you are willing to accept it, John is the Elijah who was supposed to come.Whoever has ears should listen.

asked him,“ If you are not the Messiah, why are you baptizing people? Why are you doing that if you aren’t Elijah or the Prophet we’ve been expecting?”“ I baptize people with water,” John replied.“ But someone is standing among you whom you do not know.He is the one who comes after me. I am not good enough to untie his sandals.”This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan River. That was where John was baptizing.The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him. John said,“ Look! The Lamb of God! He takes away the sin of the world!This is the one I was talking about. I said,‘ A man who comes after me is more important than I am. That’s because he existed before I was born.’I did not know him. But God wants to make it clear to Israel who this person is. That’s the reason I came baptizing with water.”Then John told them,“ I saw the Holy Spirit come down from heaven like a dove. The Spirit remained on Jesus.I myself did not know him. But the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,‘ You will see the Spirit come down and remain on someone. He is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’I have seen it happen. I am a witness that this is God’s Chosen One.”

Jesus and his disciples arrived again in Jerusalem. He was walking in the temple courtyard. Then the chief priests came to him. The teachers of the law and the elders came too.“ By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked.“ 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.Was John’s baptism from heaven? Or did it come from human authority? Tell me!”They talked to each other about it. They said,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will ask,‘ Then why didn’t you believe him?’But what if we say,‘ From human authority’?” They were afraid of the people. Everyone believed that John really was a prophet.So they answered Jesus,“ We don’t know.” Jesus said,“ Then I won’t tell you by what authority I am doing these things either.”

There was a man sent from God. His name was John.

John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit. He prophesied,“ Give praise to the Lord, the God of Israel! He has come to his people and purchased their freedom.He has acted with great power and has saved us. He did it for those who are from the family line of his servant David.Long ago holy prophets said he would do it.He has saved us from our enemies. We are rescued from all who hate us.He has been kind to our people of long ago. He has remembered his holy covenant.He made a promise to our father Abraham.He promised to save us from our enemies. Then we could serve him without fear.He wants us to be holy and godly as long as we live.“ And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare the way for him.You will tell his people how they can be saved. You will tell them that their sins can be forgiven.All of that will happen because our God is tender and caring. His kindness will bring the rising sun to us from heaven.It will shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death. It will guide our feet on the path of peace.”The child grew up, and his spirit became strong. He lived in the desert until he appeared openly to Israel.

Jesus had performed so many signs in front of them. But they still would not believe in him.This happened as Isaiah the prophet had said it would. He had said,“ Lord, who has believed what we’ve been saying? Who has seen the Lord’s saving power?”( Isaiah 53:1)For this reason, they could not believe. As Isaiah says in another place,“ The Lord has blinded their eyes. He has closed their minds. So they can’t see with their eyes. They can’t understand with their minds. They can’t turn to the Lord. If they could, he would heal them.”( Isaiah 6:10)Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.At the same time that Jesus did those signs, many of the Jewish leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees, they would not openly admit they believed. They were afraid they would be thrown out of the synagogue.They loved praise from people more than praise from God.

“ You have sent people to John the Baptist. He has been a witness to the truth.I do not accept what a person says. I only talk about what John says so that you can be saved.John was like a lamp that burned and gave light. For a while you chose to enjoy his light.“ What I say about myself is more important than what John says about me. I am doing the works the Father gave me to finish. These works are a witness that the Father has sent me.

You accept praise from one another. But you do not seek the praise that comes from the only God. So how can you believe?“ Do not think I will bring charges against you in front of the Father. Moses is the one who does that. And he is the one you build your hopes on.Do you believe Moses? Then you should believe me. He wrote about me.But you do not believe what he wrote. So how are you going to believe what I say?”

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah. The angel was standing at the right side of the incense altar.When Zechariah saw him, he was amazed and terrified.But the angel said to him,“ Do not be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will have a child. It will be a boy, and you must call him John.He will be a joy and delight to you. His birth will make many people very glad.He will be important in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or other such drinks. 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 prepare the way for the Lord. He will have the same spirit and power that Elijah had. He will bring peace between parents and their children. He will teach people who don’t obey to be wise and do what is right. In this way, he will prepare a people who are ready for the Lord.”

But I tell you, Elijah has already come. People didn’t recognize him. They have done to him everything they wanted to do. In the same way, they are going to make the Son of Man suffer.”Then the disciples understood that Jesus was talking to them about John the Baptist.