NgokukaLuka 3:1-6

Kwathi ngomnyaka weshumi nanhlanu wokubusa kukaTiberiyu Kesari, uPontiyu Pilatu engumbusi waseJudiya, uHerode engumtetrarki* waseGalile, uFiliphu umfowabo engumtetrarki wezwe lase-Itureya nelaseTrakhoniti, uLisaniya engumtetrarki wase-Abilene, u-Anase engumpristi omkhulu noKayafase, kwafika izwi likaNkulunkulu kuJohane indodana kaZakariya ehlane. Weza ezweni lonke laseJordani eshumayela umbhapathizo wokuphenduka, kube ngukuthethelelwa kwezono, njengokuba kulotshiwe encwadini yamazwi ka-Isaya umprofethi ukuthi: “Izwi lomemezayo ehlane, lithi: ‘Lungisani indlela yeNkosi, nenze imikhondo yayo iqonde. Izigodi zonke ziyakugqitshwa, zonke izintaba namagquma kuyakwehliswa; kuqonde izinsongansonga, nemigoxigoxi ibe yizindlela ezilelezekile; inyama yonke izakubona insindiso kaNkulunkulu.’ ”