He went into all the region around the Jordan River, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes.

But in truth I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s days, when the sky was shut up three and a half years, and there was a great famine over all the land.

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him two by two into every town and place where he himself was about to go.

Look, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and on the full force of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you.