7
He called the twelve apostles, sent them out two by two, and gave them authority over evil spirits.
8
He instructed them to take nothing along on the trip except a walking stick. They were not to take any food, a traveling bag, or money in their pockets.
9
They could wear sandals but could not take along a change of clothes.
10
He told them, "Whenever you go into a home, stay there until you're ready to leave that place.
11
Wherever people don't welcome you or listen to you, leave and shake the dust from your feet as a warning to them."
12
So the apostles went and told people that they should turn to God and change the way they think and act.
13
They also forced many demons out of people and poured oil on many who were sick to cure them.
14
King Herod heard about Jesus, because Jesus' name had become well-known. Some people were saying, "John the Baptizer has come back to life. That's why he has the power to perform these miracles."
15
Others said, "He is Elijah." Still others said, "He is a prophet like one of the other prophets."
16
But when Herod heard about it, he said, "I had John's head cut off, and he has come back to life!"
17
Herod had sent men who had arrested John, tied him up, and put him in prison. Herod did that for Herodias, whom he had married. (She used to be his brother Philip's wife.)