Tag: john-the-baptist

  • Preaching Paths 25 January 2026, 3rd Sunday after Epiphany Yr A

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Today’s Gospel reading, Mt 4:12-23, opens with the inauguration of Jesus’ preaching and healing ministry. After Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness (4:1-11), he learns that John the Baptist has been arrested and thrown into prison by Herod. Jesus, recognizing that it is dangerous to preach news of…

  • 18th January 2026, 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany Yr A

    John 1:29-42 Christ revealed as the Lamb of God 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 1:30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he…

  • Preaching Paths 18 January 2026 Second Sunday after the Epiphany Yr A

    Sally A Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Today’s gospel reading, John 1:29-42, is part of the “bridge” that connects the opening prologue of the gospel (1:1-18) to the Book of “Signs” (miraculous acts), and accompanying discourses, that comprise much of this gospel. After clarifying in 1:19-28 that he himself is not the Messiah, John…

  • 11th January 2026,Baptism of the Lord, Year A

    Matthew 3:13-17 Christ revealed as God’s servant 3:13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 3:14John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 3:15But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for…

  • Preaching Paths 11 Jan 2026 Baptism of Our Lord Yr A

    Sally A Brown, Professor of Preaching Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary We learn in the verses immediately preceding today’s text that crowds gathered at the Jordan both fascinated and terrified by John’s message of an imminent divine epiphany, a day of reckoning. John adjures them to “repent and be baptized.” According to Jewish law, one could…

  • Preaching Paths 21 December 2025

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary Preaching possibilities abound in today’s Gospel reading (Lk 1:39-56). Two unlikely expectant mothers—one long considered barren, the other young and unmarried—join in Spirit-inspired celebration of God’s surprising ways. After the angel Gabriel’s life-changing visit, Mary travels to the far Judean hills to visit her older cousin, Elizabeth.…

  • Preaching Paths 14 December 2025 Advent 3 Year A

    Sally A Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary The gospel reading for this third Sunday in Advent, Year A, Mt 11:2-11, can be jarring for preachers, to say nothing of their prospective listeners. What merit is there in forcing ourselves to grapple with the consternation of John the Baptist, locked and silenced in Herod’s prison,…

  • Preaching Paths 19 January 2025

    Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary To rightly interpret today’s text, attention to context, both cultural and literary, is essential. John 2:1-11 tells of a wedding at which Jesus, one of the guests, changes a large quantity of water into wine. If one works out the math, the supply can seem outrageously excessive—but…

  • 12th January 2025, Year C

    Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 The baptism of Jesus 3:15As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 3:16John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy…

  • 3rd Week of Advent, 15th December 2024

    Luke 3:7-18 One more powerful is coming 3:7John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 3:8Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell…