Mark 6:1-30

1Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him.

2And 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 wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!

3Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.

4But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.”

5Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.

6And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

7And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.

8He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—

9but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.

10Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.

11And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”

12So they went out and preached that people should repent.

13And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

14Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”

15Others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.”

16But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!”

17For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her.

18Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

19Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not;

20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

21Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.

22And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”

23He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

24So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!”

25Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

26And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.

27Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison,

28brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.

29When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

30Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.