John the Immerser
1 In the fifteenth year of the governorship of Tiberias Caesar, Pontius Pilate was the governor of Judea, Herod was ruler over one-fourth of Galilee, his brother Philip was ruler over one-fourth of the region of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was ruler over one-fourth of Abilene. 2 It was then, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, that a declaration from God came upon John, the son of Zacharias, while he was in the desert. 3 So he went into the whole area around the Jordan River, proclaiming immersion to symbolize a complete turning to God that would lead to being acquitted of sins. 4 As it has been written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah,
“There is someone calling out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Master and straighten its paths! 5 Its ravines will be filled in, every hill will be lowered, every crooked thing will be straightened, and every rocky place will be smoothed. 6 Then everyone will clearly see the deliverance of God.’”
7 But to the crowd coming to him to be immersed he said, “You hatchlings of snakes! Who showed you how to escape the fury to come? 8 You must produce results to match your turning to God, rather than smugly assuming that being descendants of Abraham is enough. For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones! 9 The ax is already aimed at the root of the trees, so every tree that does not produce acceptable fruit is being cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 So the crowd asked him, “What are we to do then?”
11 “The one with two tunics should share with someone who has none,” he replied. “Do the same with food.”
12 Then some tax contractors came to be immersed, and they asked him, “Teacher, what are we to do?”12
13 “Do not take one bit more than you’re supposed to,” he answered.
14 Next some soldiers asked what they should do, and he told them, “Stop intimidating people and engaging in extortion, and be content with your pay.”
15 Now all the people were in anticipation, speculating among themselves whether John was actually Christ. 16 But he responded to them all, “I do immerse you in water, but one stronger than I is coming, whose shoelaces I am not worthy to untie! He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 He has a broom in his hand, and he’s about to sweep the threshing floor clean! He will gather the grain into his storage bins, but he will burn the chaff in fire that will never be extinguished.”
18 Then with many other words he encouraged the people with this good news. 19 But he confronted Herod, ruler over one-fourth the country, concerning the wife of his brother Philip, 20 so Herod added to all his other evils by locking John in prison.
Jesus is immersed
21 When all the people were being immersed, Jesus was immersed as well. While he was praying, the sky opened up, 22 the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove, and there was a voice from heaven: “You are my dear son, and I am very pleased with you.”
Genealogy of Jesus to Adam
23 Jesus’ activities began when he was about thirty years old. He was presumed to be the son of Joseph:
of Heli, 24 of Matthat, of Levi, of Melchi, of Jannai, of Joseph, 25 of Mattathias, of Amos, of Nahum, of Esli, of Naggai, 26 of Maath, of Mattathias, of Semein, of Josech, of Joda, 27 of Joanan, of Rhesa, of Zorobabel, of Salathiel, of Neri, 28 of Melchi, of Addi, of Cosam, of Elmadam, of Er,
29 of Joshua, of Eliezer, of Jorim, of Matthat, of Levi, 30 of Simon, of Judah, of Joseph, of Jonam, of Eliakim, 31 of Melea, of Menna, of Mattatha, of Nathan, of David, 32 of Jesse, of Obed, of Boaz, of Sala, of Nahshon, 33 of Aminadab, of Admin, of Arni, of Hezron, of Phares, of Judah,
34 of Jacob, of Isaac, of Abraham, of Terah, of Nahor, 35 of Serug, of Reu, of Peleg, of Eber, of Sala, 36 of Cainan, of Arphaxad, of Shem, of Noah, of Lamech, 37 of Methusaleh, of Enoch, of Jared, of Mahalalel, of Cainan, 38 of Enosh, of Seth, of Adam, of God.
- 12 Tax contractors were individuals making a profit by collecting taxes on behalf of the Roman government.