Chapter 1

1This is the beginning of the good news about Jesus the Christ, God’s chosen king.

2This is what is written in the prophet Isaiah. God says, “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare your way.

3The passage continues: “A voice cries out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the Lord’s way! Make straight paths for him!’”

4John appeared in the wilderness, baptizing people by immersing them in water. He announced that they should turn away from their sins and be baptized so their sins could be forgiven.

5People from all across the region of Judea and from Jerusalem went out to John. As they openly admitted their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

6John wore clothes made from camel hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.

7John announced, “Someone more powerful than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy even to bend down and untie his sandals.

8I baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with God’s Holy Spirit.”

9During those days, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River.

10Just as Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending into him like a dove.

11A voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love. You give me great joy.”

12Immediately the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness.

13Jesus remained there for forty days while Satan tested him. He was among wild animals, and angels took care of him.

14After John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee and announced God’s good news.

15Jesus said, “The time has come, and God’s rule has drawn near. Change how you think and live, and trust the good news.”

16As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Simon’s brother Andrew casting nets into the water. They were fishermen.

17Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will teach you to fish for people.”

18They immediately left their nets and followed him.

19After walking a little farther, Jesus saw James son of Zebedee and James’s brother John. They were in their boat repairing their nets.

20Jesus immediately called them. They left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers and followed Jesus.

21They entered Capernaum. On the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest, Jesus immediately taught in the synagogue, the local Jewish meeting place.

22The people were amazed by his teaching because he taught with authority, unlike their experts in religious law.

23Just then, a man under the power of an evil spirit was in their synagogue. The spirit cried out through him,

24“Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the one God has set apart!”

25Jesus commanded the spirit, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”

26The evil spirit threw the man into convulsions, screamed loudly, and came out of him.

27Everyone was astonished. They asked one another, “What is this? It is a new teaching with authority! He even commands evil spirits, and they obey him.”

28News about Jesus immediately spread everywhere throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

29Jesus and his companions left the synagogue and went straight to the home of Simon and Andrew. James and John went with them.

30Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her.

31Jesus went to her, took her hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and she began serving them.

32That evening, after sunset, people brought Jesus everyone who was sick or under the power of evil spirits.

33The whole town gathered outside the door.

34Jesus healed many people who had various diseases and drove out many evil spirits. He would not allow the spirits to speak because they knew who he was.

35Very early the next morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went to a deserted place. There he prayed.

36Simon and his companions went searching for Jesus.

37When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you!”

38Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby towns—so that I can announce the message there too. That is why I set out.”

39Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, announcing the message in the synagogues and driving out evil spirits.

40A man with a serious skin disease came to Jesus, knelt before him, and pleaded, “If you are willing, you can free me from this disease and make me clean again.”

41Jesus became angry. He reached out, touched the man, and said, “I am willing. Be clean.”

42Immediately the skin disease left the man, and he became clean.

43Jesus gave him a stern warning and sent him away at once.

44Jesus told him, “Make sure you say nothing to anyone. Instead, go and let the priest examine you. Bring the purification sacrifice required by Moses’ law for someone healed of a skin disease. This will publicly confirm to the priests that you are now clean and may return to community life.”

45But after the man left, he began telling everyone what had happened and spreading the news widely. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. He stayed outside in deserted places, yet people came to him from everywhere.