29 And if you would make glad the coming king, then shun the cup as you would shun a deadly thing.
30 And then he threw the sparkling wine out in the street.
CHAPTER 63.
John, the harbinger, visits Jericho. Meets the people at Gilgal. Announces his mission. Introduces the rite of baptism. Baptizes many people. Returns to Bethany and teaches. Returns to the Jordan.
And John went down to Jericho; there he abode with Alpheus.
2 And when the people heard that he was there they came in throngs to hear him speak.
3 He spoke to none; but when the time was due he went down to the Jordan ford, and to the multitudes he said,
4 Reform and in the fount of purity wash all your sins away; the kingdom is at hand.
5 Come unto me and in the waters of this stream be washed, symbolic of the inner cleansing of the soul.
6 And, lo, the multitudes came down and in the Jordan they were washed, and every man confessed his sins.