Ben Wilson

He's clearly a clever young man. Then we basically miss Jesus's entire young adulthood. We know nothing about his life from the time he is 12, and that story happens, until he is 30 years old. We can make some guesses at what he was doing at that time. You know, probably he was employed. I think it likely that he took up his father's trade and was a carpenter.

Paul Johnson suggests that he worked in agriculture because he uses so many metaphors in his teachings about crops and farming. I mean, who knows? In either case, judging by the types of stories he would eventually tell, we do know that he was a keen observer of nature and the world around him. But that's kind of it.

Paul Johnson suggests that he worked in agriculture because he uses so many metaphors in his teachings about crops and farming. I mean, who knows? In either case, judging by the types of stories he would eventually tell, we do know that he was a keen observer of nature and the world around him. But that's kind of it.

Again, those 12 years from when he's a boy to when he starts teaching 18 years later are just a complete black box. So from the gospel's perspective, the narrative now moves to John the Baptist. John the Baptist is a teacher. He is part of a popular wave of people saying that Israel needs to get ready for the return of the Messiah. Many people think that John, in fact, is the Messiah.

Again, those 12 years from when he's a boy to when he starts teaching 18 years later are just a complete black box. So from the gospel's perspective, the narrative now moves to John the Baptist. John the Baptist is a teacher. He is part of a popular wave of people saying that Israel needs to get ready for the return of the Messiah. Many people think that John, in fact, is the Messiah.

He's very popular. And his big thing, as his name would suggest, is baptism. Okay, so John did not invent baptism. In the Jewish context of the early first century, baptism would have been seen as a ritual washing. But John's innovation seems to have been to tie it to the idea of repentance, of changing, of being more righteous.

He's very popular. And his big thing, as his name would suggest, is baptism. Okay, so John did not invent baptism. In the Jewish context of the early first century, baptism would have been seen as a ritual washing. But John's innovation seems to have been to tie it to the idea of repentance, of changing, of being more righteous.

So not just purifying yourself from contamination from the outside world, but from your own sinfulness. So this guy, John the Baptist, is the cousin of Jesus. So they have this pre-existing family connection. The most famous story about John is when he baptizes Jesus. And according to all the biblical accounts, this is accompanied by a miraculous display of God's approval of Jesus.

So not just purifying yourself from contamination from the outside world, but from your own sinfulness. So this guy, John the Baptist, is the cousin of Jesus. So they have this pre-existing family connection. The most famous story about John is when he baptizes Jesus. And according to all the biblical accounts, this is accompanied by a miraculous display of God's approval of Jesus.

And that is really where Jesus' story begins, after his baptism by John. After he's baptized, he goes off into the wilderness for 40 days where he is tempted by the devil, but he overcomes it. He's tempted with worldly power.

And that is really where Jesus' story begins, after his baptism by John. After he's baptized, he goes off into the wilderness for 40 days where he is tempted by the devil, but he overcomes it. He's tempted with worldly power.

The implication is that he could have become the Messiah that everyone expected, the one that would throw off the shackles of Roman rule and bring forth an independent Israel. But instead, he chooses the higher mission given to him by God, which will become clear as the story goes on. Interestingly, in this inauguration period, there is no moment of him finding out about his calling.

The implication is that he could have become the Messiah that everyone expected, the one that would throw off the shackles of Roman rule and bring forth an independent Israel. But instead, he chooses the higher mission given to him by God, which will become clear as the story goes on. Interestingly, in this inauguration period, there is no moment of him finding out about his calling.

He alludes to it during the incident at the temple. I think the implication is that he somehow always knew his mission or else was taught it by his mother at a very young age.

He alludes to it during the incident at the temple. I think the implication is that he somehow always knew his mission or else was taught it by his mother at a very young age.

according to matthew the first thing that jesus does after this temptation is the same thing as john the baptist matthew says quote from that time jesus began to preach and to say repent for the kingdom of god is at hand and i think it's interesting that you know jesus really follows in the footsteps of john the baptist and at this point is doing much the same thing as him

according to matthew the first thing that jesus does after this temptation is the same thing as john the baptist matthew says quote from that time jesus began to preach and to say repent for the kingdom of god is at hand and i think it's interesting that you know jesus really follows in the footsteps of john the baptist and at this point is doing much the same thing as him

You know, there's always someone who comes before for great achievers in whatever domain. You know, Thomas Edison looked to the inventors that came before him. Steve Jobs looked to the other great entrepreneurs. Napoleon looked to the other great conquerors. And for Jesus, you know, obviously the main person he's patterning himself off of is God.

You know, there's always someone who comes before for great achievers in whatever domain. You know, Thomas Edison looked to the inventors that came before him. Steve Jobs looked to the other great entrepreneurs. Napoleon looked to the other great conquerors. And for Jesus, you know, obviously the main person he's patterning himself off of is God.

But John the Baptist is someone who kind of gave him the pattern for how to conduct his ministry. Now, according to Matthew, it is once John the Baptist is thrown into prison that Jesus returns to Galilee and begins to preach. And according to Matthew, the first thing he does is call disciples, Peter, Andrew, James, and John.