The Mission of John the Baptist

(Isaiah 40:1-5; Matthew 3:1-12; Luke 3:1-20; John 1:19-28)

1THE beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2As it is written in Isaias the prophet: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare the way before thee.

3A voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.

4John was in the desert baptizing, and preaching the baptism of penance, unto remission of sins. 5And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all they of Jerusalem, and were baptized by him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. 6And John was clothed with camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7And he preached, saying: There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8I have baptized you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

The Baptism of Jesus

(Matthew 3:13-17; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34)

9And it came to pass, in those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And forthwith coming up out of he water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit as a dove descending, and remaining on him. 11And there came a voice from heaven: Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

The Temptation of Jesus

(Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13)

12And immediately the Spirit drove him out into the desert. 13And he was in the desert forty days and forty nights, and was tempted by Satan; and he was with beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

Jesus Preaches in Galilee

(Isaiah 9:1-7; Matthew 4:12-17; Luke 4:14-15)

14And after that John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15And saying: The time is accomplished, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel.

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

(Matthew 4:18-22; Matthew 13:47-52; Luke 5:1-11; John 1:35-42)

16And passing by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother, casting nets into the sea (for they were fishermen). 17And Jesus said to them: Come after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18And immediately leaving their nets, they followed him. 19And going on from thence a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were mending their nets in the ship: 20And forthwith he called them. And leaving their father Zebedee in the ship with his hired men, they followed him.

Jesus Expels an Evil Spirit

(Luke 4:31-37)

21And they entered into Capharnaum, and forthwith upon the sabbath days going into the synagogue, he taught them. 22And they were astonished at his doctrine. For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the scribes. 23And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24Saying: What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know who thou art, the Holy One of God. 25And Jesus threatened him, saying: Speak no more, and go out of the man. 26And the unclean spirit tearing him, and crying out with a loud voice, went out of him. 27And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying: What thing is this? what is this new doctrine? for with power he commandeth even the unclean spirits, and they obey him. 28And the fame of him was spread forthwith into all the country of Galilee.

Jesus Heals at Peter's House

(Matthew 8:14-17; Luke 4:38-41)

29And immediately going out of the synagogue they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30And Simon's wife's mother lay in a fit of a fever: and forthwith they tell him of her. 31And coming to her, he lifted her up, taking her by the hand; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

32And when it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all that were ill and that were possessed with devils. 33And all the city was gathered together at the door. 34And he healed many that were troubled with divers diseases; and he cast out many devils, and he suffered them not to speak, because they knew him.

Jesus Prays and Preaches

(Luke 4:42-44)

35And rising very early, going out, he went into a desert place: and there he prayed. 36And Simon, and they that were with him, followed after him. 37And when they had found him, they said to him: All seek for thee. 38And he saith to them: Let us go into the neighbouring towns and cities, that I may preach there also; for to this purpose am I come. 39And he was preaching in their synagogues, and in all Galilee, and casting out devils.

The Leper's Prayer

(Leviticus 14:1-32; Matthew 8:1-4; Luke 5:12-16)

40And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down said to him: If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 41And Jesus having compassion on him, stretched forth his hand; and touching him, saith to him: I will. Be thou made clean. 42And when he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was made clean. 43And he strictly charged him, and forthwith sent him away. 44And he saith to him: See thou tell no one; but go, shew thyself to the high priest, and offer for thy cleansing the things that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them. 45But he being gone out, began to publish and to blaze abroad the word: so that he could not openly go into the city, but was without in desert places: and they flocked to him from all sides.