The Preaching of John the Baptist

Now in those days John the Baptist *came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,

Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

The Baptism of Jesus

Then Jesus *arrived from Galilee at the Jordan, coming to John to be baptized by him.

But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have the need to be baptized by You, and yet You are coming to me?”

Jesus Begins His Ministry

Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee;

Going on from there He saw 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.

The Question about Fasting

Then the disciples of John *came to Him, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?”

Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew; and James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;

John’s Questions

When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Now while in prison, John heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciples,

Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see:

Jesus’ Tribute to John

As these disciples of John were going away, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force.

For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.

And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come.

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’

John the Baptist Beheaded

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus,

and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he himself has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.

For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.

And after being prompted by her mother, she *said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.”

He sent word and had John beheaded in the prison.

John’s disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.