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The Preaching of John the Baptist
In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the Wilderness of Judea [along the western side of the Dead Sea] and saying,
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Now this same John had clothing made of camel’s hair and a [wide] leather band around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
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The Baptism of Jesus
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan [River], to be baptized by him.
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But John tried to prevent Him [vigorously protesting], saying, “It is I who need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
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But Jesus replied to him, “Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John permitted [it and baptized] Him.
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After Jesus was baptized, He came up immediately out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he (John) saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Jesus),
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Jesus Begins His Ministry
Now when Jesus heard that John [the Baptist] had been arrested and put in prison, He left for Galilee.
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And going on [further] from there He noticed two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and He called them [to follow Him as His disciples].
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The Question about Fasting
Then the disciples of John [the Baptist] came to Jesus, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees often fast [as a religious exercise], but Your disciples do not fast?”
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Now these are the names of the twelve apostles (special messengers, personally chosen representatives): first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
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John’s Questions
When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and to preach in their [Galilean] cities.
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Now when John [the Baptist] in prison heard about the activities of Christ, he sent word by his disciples
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Jesus answered, “Go and report to John what you hear and see:
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Jesus’ Tribute to John
As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out in the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind [which is commonplace]?
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I assure you and most solemnly say to you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater [in privilege] than he.
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From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize].
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For all the prophets and the Law prophesied up until John .
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And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is [the fulfillment of] Elijah [as the messenger] who was to come [before the kingdom].
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For John came neither eating nor drinking [with others], and they say, ‘He has a demon!’
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John the Baptist Beheaded
At that time Herod [Antipas], the tetrarch [who governed a portion of Palestine including Galilee and Perea], heard the reports about Jesus,
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and said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and that is why the miraculous powers are at work in him.”
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For Herod had John arrested and bound him and put him in prison [at the fortress of Machaerus, east of the Jordan, to keep him away] because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip,
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for John had said to him, “It is not lawful (morally right) for you to have her [living with you as your wife].”
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Although Herod wished to have him put to death, he feared the people, for they regarded John as a prophet.
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She, being coached by her mother [Herodias], said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
