Mark 6:1-30

1Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown.

2The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?”

3Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.

4Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.”

5And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them.

6And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people.

7And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.

8He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money.

9He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes.

10“Wherever you go,” he said, “stay in the same house until you leave town.

11But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”

12So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God.

13And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.

14Herod Antipas, the king, soon heard about Jesus, because everyone was talking about him. Some were saying, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead. That is why he can do such miracles.”

15Others said, “He’s the prophet Elijah.” Still others said, “He’s a prophet like the other great prophets of the past.”

16When Herod heard about Jesus, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has come back from the dead.”

17For Herod had sent soldiers to arrest and imprison John as a favor to Herodias. She had been his brother Philip’s wife, but Herod had married her.

18John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry your brother’s wife.”

19So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod’s approval she was powerless,

20for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.

21Herodias’s chance finally came on Herod’s birthday. He gave a party for his high government officials, army officers, and the leading citizens of Galilee.

22Then his daughter, also named Herodias, came in and performed a dance that greatly pleased Herod and his guests. “Ask me for anything you like,” the king said to the girl, “and I will give it to you.”

23He even vowed, “I will give you whatever you ask, up to half my kingdom!”

24She went out and asked her mother, “What should I ask for?” Her mother told her, “Ask for the head of John the Baptist!”

25So the girl hurried back to the king and told him, “I want the head of John the Baptist, right now, on a tray!”

26Then the king deeply regretted what he had said; but because of the vows he had made in front of his guests, he couldn’t refuse her.

27So he immediately sent an executioner to the prison to cut off John’s head and bring it to him. The soldier beheaded John in the prison,

28brought his head on a tray, and gave it to the girl, who took it to her mother.

29When John’s disciples heard what had happened, they came to get his body and buried it in a tomb.

30The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught.