[a]2:21] He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. [a]2:22] But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee, [a]2:23] and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."
[a]3:1] In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, [a]3:2] "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" [a]3:3] For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying,
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight."[*]
[a]3:4] Now John himself wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. [a]3:5] Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him. [a]3:6] They were [baptized] by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. [a]3:7] But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his [baptism,] he said to them, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? [a]3:8] Therefore bring forth fruit worthy of repentance! [a]3:9] Don't think to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
[a]3:10] "Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn't bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire. [a]3:11] I indeed [baptize] you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.[*] [a]3:12] His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire."
[a]3:13] Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. [a]3:14] But John would have hindered him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?"
[a]3:15] But Jesus, answering, said to him, "Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. [a]3:16] Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. [a]3:17] Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
[a]4:1] Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. [a]4:2] When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. [a]4:3] The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
[a]4:4] But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"[*]
[a]4:5] Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, [a]4:6] and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, 'He will put his angels in charge of you.' and,