路加福音第三章第1—6节说施洗约翰按神的话的指示来到约旦河一带宣讲悔改的洗礼，目的是让人悔改归向耶稣，相信耶稣的人罪就可得赦免。施洗约翰就是旧约里所预言的先知以利亚，他来是要预备耶稣的道修直耶稣的路，让众人明白耶稣就是要来的那个弥赛亚。

路3:2 亚那和该亚法作大祭司、那时、撒迦利亚的儿子约翰在旷野里、神的话临到他。
in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.
路3:3 他就来到约但河一带地方、宣讲悔改的洗礼、使罪得赦．
He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins.
路3:4 正如先知以赛亚书上所记的话、说、『在旷野有人声喊着说、预备主的道、修直他的路。
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.
路3:5 一切山洼都要填满、大小山冈都要削平、弯弯曲曲的地方要改为正直、高高低低的道路要改为平坦。
Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.
路3:6 凡有血气的、都要见神的救恩。』
All flesh will see God's salvation.'"

徒19:4 保罗说、约翰所行的是悔改的洗、告诉百姓、当信那在他以后要来的、就是耶稣。
Paul said, "John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus."