that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:

to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.

a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

And in this way, with many other exhortations, John proclaimed good news to the people.

As all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples,

And all the people came to him early in the morning to listen to him in the temple courts.

Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,

Now the whole crowd of people were praying outside at the hour of the incense offering.

Now the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they began to wonder why he was delayed in the holy place.

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he has come to help and has redeemed his people.

Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. And while he was praying, the heavens opened,

After Jesus had finished teaching all this to the people, he entered Capernaum.

(Now all the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism.

but they could not find a way to do it, for all the people hung on his words.

Thus they were unable in the presence of the people to trap him with his own words. And stunned by his answer, they fell silent.

The chief priests and the experts in the law were trying to find some way to execute Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.

A great number of the people followed him, among them women who were mourning and wailing for him.

And he will go as forerunner before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.”

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people:

While the people were filled with anticipation and they all wondered whether perhaps John could be the Christ,