John the Baptist Prepares the Way

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

John Baptizes Jesus

It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets.

Peter’s Mother-in-Law Healed

Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

Jesus Is Questioned About Fasting

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?”

James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”;

And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.

John the Baptist Beheaded

Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”

But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!”

For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her.

Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!”

Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”

Jesus Transfigured on the Mount

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.

Jesus Forbids Sectarianism

Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”

Greatness Is Serving

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”

And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John.

The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.”

But if we say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed.

The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately,