Crowds of people came to be baptized by John.

But he said to them,

“You are all snakes! Who warned you to run from God’s judgment that is coming? 

Change your hearts! I know what you are about to say—‘but Abraham is our father!’

That means nothing.

I tell you that God can make children for Abraham from these rocks! 

Everyone was hoping for the Messiah to come, and they wondered about John.

They thought, “Maybe he is the Messiah.”

John’s answer to this was,

“I baptize you in water, but there is someone coming later who is able to do more than I can.

I am not good enough to be the slave who unties his sandals.

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."