Baptism of Our Lord, Year C
First Sunday after the Epiphany The Sunday after January 6 Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, the year of Luke Green
Next read on .
The Gospel: Luke 3:15–17, 21–22
John says one mightier than he is coming; after Jesus is baptized and prays, the Holy Spirit descends like a dove and a voice calls him beloved Son.
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Most churches stand for the Gospel, and sing or say a short response before and after it.
The passage
15 As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ, 16 John 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, 17 whose 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.”
21 Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
The other readings
In the order they are read on Sunday, before the Gospel.
Isaiah 43:1-7
Through Isaiah, God tells Israel not to fear, for he has called them by name, will be with them through water and fire, and will gather them home.
Read it here
1 But now the LORD who created you, Jacob, and he who formed you, Israel, says: “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you. 3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I have given Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. 4 Since you have been precious and honored in my sight, and I have loved you, therefore I will give people in your place, and nations instead of your life. 5 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west. 6 I will tell the north, ‘Give them up!’ and tell the south, ‘Don’t hold them back! Bring my sons from far away, and my daughters from the ends of the earth— 7 everyone who is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yes, whom I have made.’ ”
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Psalm 29
A song of praise to the LORD, whose mighty voice thunders over the waters and who gives strength and peace to his people.
Read it here
1 Ascribe to the LORD, you sons of the mighty, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name. Worship the LORD in holy array. 3 The LORD’s voice is on the waters. The God of glory thunders, even the LORD on many waters. 4 The LORD’s voice is powerful. The LORD’s voice is full of majesty. 5 The LORD’s voice breaks the cedars. Yes, the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young, wild ox. 7 The LORD’s voice strikes with flashes of lightning. 8 The LORD’s voice shakes the wilderness. The LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The LORD’s voice makes the deer calve, and strips the forests bare. In his temple everything says, “Glory!” 10 The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood. Yes, the LORD sits as King forever. 11 The LORD will give strength to his people. The LORD will bless his people with peace.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Acts 8:14-17
Peter and John go to Samaria, where people have been baptized, and pray and lay hands on them so that they receive the Holy Spirit.
Read it here
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16 for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
A question to carry into the week
What is one thing Jesus says or does in this Gospel that you want to remember this week?
For your newsletter or sermon notes
These readings are told as stories on our sister site, Free Scripture, one scene at a time in plain words. The lines below are ready to paste. The next eight Sundays, and every story.
Baptism of Our Lord (First Sunday after the Epiphany) · Revised Common Lectionary, Year C · the same Sunday at the Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Scripture text: World English Bible, public domain.
Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org Used by permission.