Nazareth, and the Baptist's Head

¹ He went out from there. He came into his own country, and his disciples followed him. ² When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things?” and, “What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands? ³ Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” So they were offended at him. ⁴ Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house.” ⁵ He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. ⁶ He marveled because of their unbelief. He went around the villages teaching. ⁷ He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits. ⁸ He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse, ⁹ but to wear sandals, and not put on two tunics. ¹⁰ He said to them, “Wherever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there. ¹¹ Whoever will not receive you nor hear you, as you depart from there, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony against them. Assuredly, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” ¹² They went out and preached that people should repent. ¹³ They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick and healed them. ¹⁴ King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, “John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” ¹⁵ But others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets.” ¹⁶ But Herod, when he heard this, said, “This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.” ¹⁷ For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her. ¹⁸ For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” ¹⁹ Herodias set herself against him and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t, ²⁰ for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly. ²¹ Then a convenient day came when Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. ²² When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” ²³ He swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” ²⁴ She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” She said, “The head of John the Baptizer.” ²⁵ She came in immediately with haste to the king and requested, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.” ²⁶ The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths and of his dinner guests, he didn’t wish to refuse her. ²⁷ Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard and commanded to bring John’s head; and he went and beheaded him in the prison, ²⁸ and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother. ²⁹ When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.