Jesus replies that he must "be in his father's house" (). The Synoptic accounts of Jesus' baptism are all preceded by information about John the Baptist. They show John preaching penance and repentance for the remission of sins and encouraging the giving of alms to the poor () as he baptizes people in the area of the Jordan River around Perea and foretells () the arrival of someone "more powerful" than he. Later, Jesus identifies John as "the Elijah who was to come" (, ), the prophet who was expected to arrive before the "great and terrible day of the Lord"
Jesus baptism in Matthew is similar. Here, before Jesus' baptism, John protests, saying, "I need to be baptized by you" (). Jesus instructs him to carry on with the baptism "to fulfill all righteousness" (). Matthew also details the three temptations that Satan offers Jesus in the wilderness (). In Luke, the Holy Spirit descends as a dove after everyone has been baptized and Jesus is praying (). John implicitly recognizes Jesus from prison after sending his followers to ask about him (). Jesus' baptism and temptation serve as preparation for his public ministry. The Gospel of John leaves out Jesus'