Thaddeus of Edessa festival, and heard the preachings of John the Baptist (St. John the Forerunner). After being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, he remained in Palestine. He later met and became a follower of Jesus. He was chosen to be one of the seventy disciples, whom Jesus sent in pairs to preach in the cities and places. After Pentecost and the ascension of Jesus, Thaddeus started preaching the gospel in Mesopotamia, Syria and Persia. Thaddaeus ordained priests in Edessa, converted many to Christianity and built up the church there. He also went to Beirut to preach and founded
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'