John dwelt quietly in the desert till he was thirty years of age. Then the word of God came to him, and he began to preach: Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. His manner of living was like that of the prophets of old; he had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey. People both from Jerusalem and from the country came to him, and they were baptized of him, confessing their sins. Many believed that he was Christ; but he said: I am not Christ. I baptize only with water; but after me cometh One that is greater than I, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose. He shall baptize with the Holy Spirit. He is the Lamb of God that beareth the sins of the world. (Matt. 3:1-11; John 1:19-29.) John exhorted both high and low to repentance. The tetrarch Herod Antipas had compelled his brother to part from his wife, Herodias, and had himself taken her to wife. John said to him: It is not lawful for thee to have her. Herod became angry for this, and cast John into prison. When Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before him; he was pleased with the dance, and promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she should ask, even the half of his kingdom. She went to the mother, who said: Ask for the head of John on a platter. The king was grieved, but for the sake of his guests he kept his word. John was beheaded, and his head was brought to the princess on a platter. And his disciples came and buried him. (Matt. 14:1-12.) 57. Jesus Is Baptized When Jesus was thirty years old, He came to John at the Jordan to be baptized. John said: I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me? Jesus answered: Suffer it now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then John baptized Him. And when Jesus went up from the water, lo, the heavens were opened, and the Spirit of God descended on Him in the form of a dove, and there came a voice out of the heavens, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matt. 3:13-17.) 58. Jesus Is Tempted