Jesus

===Baptism and temptation===
{{Main|Baptism of Jesus|Temptation of Christ}}
[[File:El bautismo de Jesús, por José Ferraz de Almeida Júnior.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.75|''[[Baptism of Jesus|The Baptism of Christ]] by [[John the Baptist]]'', by [[José Ferraz de Almeida Júnior]], 1895|alt=Jesus is baptised by John. The Holy Spirit in the form of a dove is overhead.]]

The [[synoptic gospels]] describe [[Baptism of Jesus|Jesus' baptism]] in the [[Jordan River]] and [[Temptation of Christ|the temptations he received]] while spending forty days in the [[Judaean Desert]], as a preparation for his [[ministry of Jesus|public ministry]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Sheen|first=Fulton J.|title=Life of Christ|year=2008|publisher=Random House|isbn=978-0-385-52699-9|page=65|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KyqQKohpVR4C&pg=PA65|access-date=14 August 2015|archive-date=10 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910165309/https://books.google.com/books?id=KyqQKohpVR4C&pg=PA65|url-status=live}}</ref> The accounts of Jesus' baptism are all preceded by information about [[John the Baptist]].{{sfn|Blomberg|2009|pp=224–29}}{{sfn|Köstenberger|Kellum|Quarles|2009|pp=141–43}}{{sfn|McGrath|2006|pp=16–22}} They show John preaching penance and repentance for the remission of sins and encouraging the giving of [[alms]] to the poor<ref>{{bibleverse|Luke||3:11}}.</ref> as he baptizes people in the area of the Jordan River around [[Perea]] and foretells the arrival of someone "more powerful" than he.<ref>{{bibleref2|Luke|3:16}}.</ref><ref name="EerRoger">{{cite book|title=Eerdmans commentary on the Bible|first1=James D. G.|last1= Dunn|first2= John W. |last2=Rogerson|year= 2003 |isbn= 978-0-8028-3711-0 |page= 1010 |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing}}</ref>
[[File:Ary_Scheffer_-_The_Temptation_of_Christ_(1854).jpg|left|thumb|Jesus and the devil depicted in ''The Temptation of Christ'', by [[Ary Scheffer]], 1854|upright=.75]]
In the Gospel of Mark, John the Baptist baptizes Jesus, and as he comes out of the water he sees the [[Holy Spirit]] descending to him like a dove and a voice comes from heaven declaring him to be God's Son.<ref>{{bibleref2|Mark|1:9–11}}.</ref> This is one of two events described in the Gospels where a voice from Heaven calls Jesus "Son", the other being the [[Transfiguration of Jesus|Transfiguration]].{{sfn|Lee|2004|pp=21–30}}<ref name="Nobbs" /> The spirit then drives him into the wilderness where he is tempted by [[Satan]].<ref>{{bibleref2|Mark|1:12–13}}.</ref> Jesus then begins his ministry in [[Galilee]] after John's arrest.<ref>{{bibleref2|Mark|1:14}}.</ref>

In the Gospel of Matthew, as Jesus comes to him to be baptized, John protests, saying, "I need to be baptized by you."<ref>{{bibleref2|Matthew|3:14}}.</ref> Jesus instructs him to carry on with the baptism "to fulfill all righteousness".<ref>{{bibleref2|Matthew|3:15}}.</ref> Matthew details three temptations that Satan offers Jesus in the wilderness.<ref>{{bibleref2|Matthew|4:3–11}}.</ref>

In the Gospel of Luke, the Holy Spirit descends as a dove after everyone has been baptized and Jesus is [[Prayers of Jesus|praying]].<ref>{{bibleref2|Luke|3:21–22}}.</ref> Later John implicitly recognizes Jesus (possibly from prison{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}) after sending his followers to ask about him.<ref>{{bibleref2|Luke|7:18–23}}.</ref> Luke also describes three temptations received by Jesus in the wilderness, before starting his ministry in Galilee.<ref>{{bibleref2|Luke|4:1–14}}.</ref>

The Gospel of John leaves out Jesus' baptism and temptation.{{sfn|Cross|Livingstone|2005|loc=Jesus Christ}} Here, John the Baptist testifies that he saw the Spirit descend on Jesus.<ref>{{bibleref2|John|1:32}}.</ref>{{sfn|Boring|Craddock|2004|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=N0tLXRIiIe0C&pg=PA292 292]}} John publicly proclaims Jesus as the sacrificial [[Lamb of God]], and some of John's followers become disciples of Jesus.{{sfn|Theissen|Merz|1998|pp=17–62}} Before John is imprisoned, Jesus leads his followers to baptize disciples as well,<ref>{{bibleref2|John|3:22–24}}.</ref> and they baptize more people than John.<ref>{{bibleref2|John|4:1}}.</ref>