Mark 6:1-29

He went away from there and came into His own country. And His disciples followed Him. When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get this? What is this wisdom that is given Him, that even miracles are done by His hands? Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him. 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.” He could not do any miracles there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He was amazed because of their unbelief. Then He went to the surrounding villages, teaching. He called to Him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for their journey except a staff: no bag, no bread, and no money in their purse, but to wear sandals, and not put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, remain there until you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you or hear you, when you depart from there, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment than for that city.” So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. King Herod heard of Him, for His name was spread publicly. He said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and therefore these miracles are at work in him.” But others said, “He is Elijah.” And yet others said, “He is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “It is John, whom I beheaded. He has been raised from the dead!” Herod had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her. For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” So Herodias had a grudge against him and would have killed him, but she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, but heard him gladly. But a convenient day came when Herod on his birthday prepared a ceremonial dinner for his lords and commanding officers and leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you desire, and I will give it to you.” And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” She said, “The head of John the Baptist.” She came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter at once.” The king was extremely sorrowful. Yet for the sake of his oath and those who sat with him, he would not reject her. So the king immediately sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. He went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.