The Father Sends His Messenger
1 1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of our Father. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way" 3 "a voice calling out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And the whole region of Judea and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he proclaimed: "After me comes one mightier than I, and I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
The Father Speaks Over His Son
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn open and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove.
11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
12 And immediately the Holy Spirit drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of our Father, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of our Father is near; repent and believe in the gospel."
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon's brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of people." 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him.
19 Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Authority Over Darkness
21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and began to teach. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, 24 "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of our Father!"
25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
Healing Comes to Simon's House
29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 That evening, when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
Jesus Withdraws to Pray
35 And very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up and went out to a desolate place, where he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you."
38 And he said to them, "Let us go to the nearby towns so I can preach there too, for that is why I came." 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
The Leper Made Clean
40 And a man with leprosy came to him, begging him and kneeling, saying to him, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
41 Moved with deep compassion, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be clean." 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And after warning him sternly, he sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, "Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and make the offering that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a proof to them."
45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but stayed out in desolate places. And people were coming to him from everywhere.