There came a man sent from God, whose name was John.

John *testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’”

This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”

John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know.

These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.

Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples,

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized—

for John had not yet been thrown into prison.

Therefore there arose a discussion on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification.

And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.”

John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.

Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John

You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.

But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.

And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there.

Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.”

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.”

He *said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep.