Jesus in the Temple

41His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.

42When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast,

43and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it,

44but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.

46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions.

47All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

48When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”

49He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

50They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them.

51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

7He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!

9Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.”

10The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?”

11He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”

12Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”

13He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”

14Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”

15As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,

16John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire,

17whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”