Rejection at Nazareth
1 He went away from there and came to His hometown, and His disciples followed Him.
2
When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished. "Where did this man get these things?" they said. "What is this wisdom given to Him, and how are these miracles performed by His hands?
3
Isn't this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren't His sisters here with us?" So they were offended by Him.
4
Then Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his household."
5
So He was not able to do any miracles there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.
6
And He was amazed at their unbelief. Now He was going around the villages in a circuit, teaching.
Commissioning the Twelve
7 He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
8
He instructed them to take nothing for the road except a walking stick: no bread, no traveling bag, no money in their belts.
9
They were to wear sandals, but not put on an extra shirt.
10
Then He said to them, "Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that place.
11
If any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, when you leave there, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them."
12
So they went out and preached that people should repent.
13
And they were driving out many demons, anointing many sick people with oil, and healing.
John the Baptist Beheaded
14 King Herod heard of this, because Jesus' name had become well known. Some said, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that's why supernatural powers are at work in him."
15
But others said, "He's Elijah." Still others said, "He's a prophet-like one of the prophets."
16
When Herod heard of it, he said, "John, the one I beheaded, has been raised!"
17
For Herod himself had given orders to arrest John and to chain him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married.
18
John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife!"
19
So Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not,
20
because Herod was in awe of John and was protecting him, knowing he was a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard him he would be very disturbed, yet would hear him gladly.
21
Now an opportune time came on his birthday, when Herod gave a banquet for his nobles, military commanders, and the leading men of Galilee.
22
When Herodias' own daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I'll give it to you."
23
So he swore oaths to her: "Whatever you ask me I will give you, up to half my kingdom."
24
Then she went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" "John the Baptist's head!" she said.
25
Immediately she hurried to the king and said, "I want you to give me John the Baptist's head on a platter-right now!"
26
Though the king was deeply distressed, because of his oaths and the guests he did not want to refuse her.
27
The king immediately sent for an executioner and commanded him to bring John's head. So he went and beheaded him in prison,
28
brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother.
29
When his disciples heard about it, they came and removed his corpse and placed it in a tomb.