¹² But I tell you, Elijah has already come,^(A) and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished.^(B) In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer^(C) at their hands.”

²⁴ Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.^{(A) 25} As John was completing his work,^(B) he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for.^(C) But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’^(D)

²⁶ “Fellow children of Abraham^(E) and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation^(F) has been sent. ²⁷ The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus,^(G) yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets^(H) that are read every Sabbath. ²⁸ Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed.^(I)

John the Baptist Beheaded^(A)(B)

¹⁴ King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying,^[a] “John the Baptist^(C) has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

¹⁵ Others said, “He is Elijah.”^(D)

And still others claimed, “He is a prophet,^(E) like one of the prophets of long ago.”^(F)

¹⁶ But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”

¹⁷ For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison.^(G) He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. ¹⁸ For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”^{(H) 19} So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, ²⁰ because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.^(I) When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled^[b]; yet he liked to listen to him.

²¹ Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet^(J) for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.^{(K) 22} When the daughter of^[c] Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” ²³ And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”^(L)

²⁴ She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

²⁵ At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

²⁶ The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. ²⁷ So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, ²⁸ and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.

Jesus Predicts His Death^(A)

²¹ From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem^(B) and suffer many things^(C) at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law,^(D) and that he must be killed^(E) and on the third day^(F) be raised to life.^(G)

¹⁰ then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,^(A) whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,^(B) that this man stands before you healed.

¹⁴ You disowned the Holy^(A) and Righteous One^(B) and asked that a murderer be released to you.^{(C) 15} You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.^(D) We are witnesses^(E) of this.

³² There is another who testifies in my favor,^(A) and I know that his testimony about me is true.

³³ “You have sent to John and he has testified^(B) to the truth. ³⁴ Not that I accept human testimony;^(C) but I mention it that you may be saved.^{(D) 35} John was a lamp that burned and gave light,^(E) and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

³⁶ “I have testimony weightier than that of John.^(F) For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing^(G)—testify that the Father has sent me.^(H)

¹² Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man^(A) must suffer much^(B) and be rejected?^{(C) 13} But I tell you, Elijah has come,^(D) and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”