1:1 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

1:2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"--

1:3 "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"

1:4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

1:5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

1:6 John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

1:7 And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.

1:8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

1:9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

1:10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

1:11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

1:12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert,

1:13 and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

1:14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.

1:15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

1:16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

1:17 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

1:18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

1:19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.

1:20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

1:21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.

1:22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

1:23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out,

1:24 "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!"

1:25 "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!"

1:26 The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

1:27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him."

1:28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

1:29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.

1:30 Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her.

1:31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

1:32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.

1:33 The whole town gathered at the door,

1:34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

1:36 Simon and his companions went to look for him,

1:37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"

1:38 Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."

1:39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

1:40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."

1:41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"

1:42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.

1:43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning:

1:44 "See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."

1:45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.