He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’ as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the...

He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. It’s curious why John (the Evangelist) goes to such lengths to distinguish between John (the Witness) and Jesus. Not just here but, as we’ll see, even more so later in this first chapter. It might be that there was a group...

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. Such a simple, short introduction to one of the most recognizable, and arguably important, characters in the gospel story. Two things, however, that stand...

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is...

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The friends who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of the emperor’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. And then it’s over. Paul’s letter ends with the traditional two-fold pattern common to...