Herod wanted to kill John. But he was afraid of the people, because they thought John was a prophet.

Her mother told her what to say. So the girl said to Herod, “Give me the head of John the Baptist on a big plate.”

Herod had John’s head cut off in the prison.

John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

Jesus heard what had happened to John. He wanted to be alone. So he went in a boat to a quiet place. The crowds heard about this. They followed him on foot from the towns.

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

Jesus’ Appearance Is Changed

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John the brother of James with him. He led them up a high mountain. They were all alone.

Then the disciples understood that Jesus was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Where did John’s baptism come from? Was it from heaven? Or did it come from human authority?” They talked to one another about it. They said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’

But what if we say, ‘From human authority’? We are afraid of the people. Everyone believes that John was a prophet.”

John came to show you the right way to live. And you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. You saw this. But even then you did not turn away from your sins and believe him.

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!”