John the Baptist Prepares the Way

This is the beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.

And so John the Baptist appeared in the desert. He preached that people should be baptized and turn away from their sins. Then God would forgive them.

All the people from the countryside of Judea went out to him. All the people from Jerusalem went too. When they admitted they had sinned, John baptized them in the Jordan River.

John wore clothes made out of camel’s hair. He had a leather belt around his waist. And he ate locusts and wild honey.

Here is what John was preaching. “After me, there is someone coming who is more powerful than I am. I’m not good enough to bend down and untie his sandals.

Jesus Is Baptized and Tempted

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee. John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River.

Jesus Preaches the Good News

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee. He preached the good news of God.

Then Jesus walked a little farther. As he did, he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat preparing their nets.

Jesus Heals Many People

Jesus and those with him left the synagogue. Right away they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.

Jesus Is Asked About Fasting

John’s disciples and the Pharisees were going without eating. Some people came to Jesus. They said to him, “John’s disciples are fasting. The disciples of the Pharisees are also fasting. But your disciples are not. Why aren’t they?”

There were James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John. Jesus gave them the name Boanerges. Boanerges means Sons of Thunder.

He let only Peter, James, and John, the brother of James, follow him.

John the Baptist’s Head Is Cut Off

King Herod heard about this. Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead! That is why he has the power to do miracles.”

But when Herod heard this, he said, “I had John’s head cut off. And now he has been raised from the dead!”

In fact, it was Herod himself who had given orders to arrest John. He had him tied up and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias. She was the wife of Herod’s brother Philip. But now Herod was married to her.

John had been saying to Herod, “It is against the Law for you to be married to your brother’s wife.”

Herodias couldn’t forgive John for saying that. She wanted to kill him. But she could not,

because Herod was afraid of John. So he kept John safe. Herod knew John was a holy man who did what was right. When Herod heard him, he was very puzzled. But he liked to listen to John.

She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

At once the girl hurried to ask the king. She said, “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a big plate right now.”

He sent a man right away to bring John’s head. The man went to the prison and cut off John’s head.

John’s disciples heard about this. So they came and took his body. Then they placed it in a tomb.

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist. Others say Elijah. Still others say one of the prophets.”

Jesus’ Appearance Is Changed

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him. He led them up a high mountain. They were all alone. There in front of them his appearance was changed.

Anyone Who Is Not Against Us Is for Us

“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name. We told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”