The Gospel of John for Readers | Page 2

as was said by the prophet Esaias. And they who were sent by the Pharisees asked him, Why baptizest thou then if thou be not that Christ nor Elias nor that prophet?
John answered them, saying, I baptize with water but there standeth One among you, whom ye know not. He it is, who, coming after me, is preferred before me and whose foot straps I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan where John was baptizing. When John saw Jesus coming toward him, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. This is He of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me because He was before me. I knew Him not except that He should be made manifest to Israel. Therefore I come baptizing with water. John bore record saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him. I knew Him not except that He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on Him, this is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. I saw Him, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
The next day John and two of his disciples saw Jesus as He walked. John said, Behold the Lamb of God! The two disciples heard John speak and followed Jesus. Jesus turned, saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said to Him, Rabbi, (which is interpreted, Master) where dwellest Thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where He dwelt and abode with Him that day. It was about the tenth hour.
One of the two which heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. First he findeth his own brother, Simon, and saith to him, We have found the messias, (which is interpreted, the Christ) and he brought him to Jesus. When Jesus beheld him He said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona. Thou shalt be called Cephas (which is interpreted, a stone).
A day later, Jesus went forth into Galilee and findeth Philip and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael and saith unto him, We have found Him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him and saith of him, Behold an Israelite in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto Him, Whence knowest Thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto Him, Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God. Thou art the King of Israel.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee I saw thee under the fig tree believest thou? Thou shalt see greater things than these. And He saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
2. Three days later there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there. And both Jesus and His disciples were called to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, But what am I to do? Mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.
Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. They filled them up to the brim. Then He saith unto them, Draw out now, and carry them unto the governor of the feast.
When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine and knew not whence it was, (but the servants which drew the water knew) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom. He saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine, and, when men have well drunk, then that which is worse, but thou hast kept the good wine until now! This beginning of miracles Jesus did in Cana of Galilee. He showed forth His glory and His disciples believed on Him.
After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brethren, and His disciples. They continued there for a few days. The passover was at hand.