Get Ready
If you were going to tell the story of your life (so far) how would you start it? What situation or incident would you put at the beginning of the story? What people would you mention early in the story? Why would you choose these details?
The Word
1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the
Son of God.
2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. NRSV
Get into the Word
1. Matthew and Luke include all the elements of Mark’s story of John the Baptist, with only minor differences in sequence. What are the story’s main points?
2. Why does Luke begin by listing the rulers of Rome and Judea?
3. Why do Matthew and Luke include John’s denun-ciation of the Pharisees and Sadducess? What does it say about the Jews of that time?
4. What is significant about Luke and Matthew’s inclusion of “fire” in Jesus’ baptism?
5. Why does Luke include more detail about repen-
tance (turn from one’s sins)?
6. Why does Matthew include Jesus’ statement about “fulfilling all righteousness,” [3:15]?
Notes . . .
[cross-references to Matthew and Luke are given in brackets]
1:1. Matthew begins with Jesus’ genealogy (from Abraham), and his birth and flight to Egypt [1-2].
Luke starts with the story of John the Baptist’s birth, Jesus’ birth, the presentation in the temple and talking with the teachers and Anna’s prophecy of Jesus as the promised king. He then anchors the story in history with the Roman and Judean rulers and the high priests [3:1-2]. Luke also starts his version: The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.
1:3. Luke adds: Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God, [3:5-6] to the Isaiah quote.
1:4. Matthew adds John’s denunciation of the Pharisees and Sadducees: You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor;” for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham, [3:7-9].
Luke includes John’s denunciation (as in Matthew) and adds conversation between John and the people in the crowd about what they should do to repent: share belongings and food, be honest, don’t misuse power, or extort or accuse others falsely, [3:10-14].
1:7. Matthew adds, His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire, [3:11-12].
Luke also includes Matthew’s version of John’s statement about Jesus, but precedes it with: As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, [3:15]. Luke closes this section with John’s imprisonment by Herod Antipas, [3:19-20].
1:9. Matthew includes John’s objection: John would have prevented him, saying, “I am need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented, [3:14-15].
1:9. Luke’s version of Jesus’ baptism is the same as Mark’s [3:21-22].
Luke lists Jesus’ ancestors following his baptism: Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his work. He the son (as was thought) of Joseph, son of Heli. . . . son of Nathan, son of David, son of . . . Judah, son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of . . . Noah, . . . son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God, [3:23-38].
1:11. Matthew records the voice from Heaven saying “This is my Son the beloved,” [3:17].
1:12. See notes below on Jesus’ temptation.
Special Note: the temptation of Jesus . . .
Both Matthew and Luke provide detail on Jesus’ temptation. Luke’s version is:
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’”
5 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered him,
“It is written,‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”
9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and
‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
12 Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time, [Lk 4:1-13].
Matthew includes the same three temptations, but he puts the Temple temptation second and the mountain temptation third [Mt 4:5-10].
Lk 4:4. In Matthew Jesus adds, But by every word that comes from the mouth of God, [4:4].
Lk 4:6. Matthew does not include the Devil’s assertion that the nations are his to give.
Lk 4:7. Matthew includes, fall down and . . .
Lk 4:8. Matthew includes Jesus’ comment “Away with you, Satan!” [Mt. 4:10].
Lk 4:13. Matthew does not refer to any “opportune time,” but does mention that, Suddenly angels came and waited on him, [Mt 4:11].
Memory Verse
And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased, [Mark 1:11]
Next Lesson
Jesus’s early life — Matthew and Luke
