MPV Commentary

1 Now John was baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

2 And there went out to him all the land of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

3 John appeared as a voice crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for Him."

4 Now John had been saying to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?"

5 Therefore bear fruits worthy of 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 to Abraham.

6 And already the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

7 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance," John said, "but He who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."

8 He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 9 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, gathering His wheat into the garner, but burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

10 And the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he might be the Christ, or not. 11 But John answered them all, saying, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but He who comes after me is mightier than I."

12 The crowds asked him, saying, "What shall we do then?" 13 And he said to them, "He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise." 14 Then came also the publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, "Master, what shall we do?"

15 He said unto them, "Exact no more than that which is appointed you." 16 And the soldiers asked him, saying, "And what shall we do?" And he said unto them, "Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages."

17 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened.

18 The Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, "You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased."

19 And John bore witness saying, "I have seen the Spirit descending from heaven as a dove, and it abiding on him. 20 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Ghost.'"

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

22 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him. 23 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, "You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased."

24 And immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness.

25 And when they were ended, Satan came to him in the wilderness to tempt him, saying, "If you be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread."

26 But he answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"

27 Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple.

28 And said unto him, "If you be the Son of God, cast yourself down: for it is written, 'He shall give his angels charge concerning you: and in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'"

29 But he answered and said, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'"

30 Again, the devil took him to an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them.

31 And said unto him, "All these things will I give you, if you fall down and worship me."

32 Then Jesus said unto him, "Get behind me, Satan: for it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'"

33 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

34 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.

35 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.