¹² But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but ^(A)did to him whatever they pleased. ^(B)So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.”

²⁴ Before his coming, ^(A)John had proclaimed ^(B)a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. ²⁵ And as John was finishing his course, ^(C)he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’

²⁶ “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you ^(D)who fear God, to us has been sent ^(E)the message of ^(F)this salvation. ²⁷ For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because ^(G)they did not recognize him nor understand ^(H)the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, ^(I)fulfilled them by condemning him. ²⁸ And ^(J)though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, ^(K)they asked Pilate to have him executed.

The Death of John the Baptist

^14 (A)King Herod heard of it, for Jesus'^[a] name had become known. Some^[b] said, ^(B)“John the Baptist^[c] has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” ^15 (C)But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is ^(D)a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” ¹⁶ But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” ^17 (E)For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and ^(F)bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. ^18 (G)For John had been saying to Herod, ^(H)“It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” ¹⁹ And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, ²⁰ for Herod ^(I)feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he ^(J)heard him gladly.

²¹ But an opportunity came when Herod ^(K)on his birthday ^(L)gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. ²² For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” ²³ And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, ^(M)up to half of my kingdom.” ²⁴ And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” ²⁵ And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” ²⁶ And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. ²⁷ And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's^[d] head. He went and beheaded him in the prison ²⁸ and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

^21 (A)From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that ^(B)he must go to Jerusalem and ^(C)suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on ^(D)the third day be raised.

¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that ^(A)by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, ^(B)whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.

¹⁴ But you denied ^(A)the Holy and ^(B)Righteous One, and ^(C)asked for a murderer to be granted to you, ¹⁵ and you killed ^(D)the Author of life, ^(E)whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.

³² There is ^(A)another who bears witness about me, and ^(B)I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. ^33 (C)You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. ³⁴ Not that ^(D)the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. ³⁵ He was a burning and ^(E)shining lamp, and ^(F)you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. ³⁶ But ^(G)the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For ^(H)the works that the Father has given me ^(I)to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, ^(J)bear witness about me that ^(K)the Father has sent me.

¹² And he said to them, “Elijah does come first ^(A)to restore all things. And ^(B)how is it written of the Son of Man that he should ^(C)suffer many things and ^(D)be treated with contempt? ¹³ But I tell you that Elijah has come, and ^(E)they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”