Saturday, August 29

1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus

2and said to his servants, 'This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.'

3For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.

4Because John had said to him, 'It is not lawful for you to have her.'

5And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

6But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.

7Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

8So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, 'Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter.'

9And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.

10So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.

11And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.

12Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

13When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.

6However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,

8which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.'

25And as John was finishing his course, he said, 'Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.'

26'Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.

27For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him.

28And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death.

29Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.

30But God raised Him from the dead.

31He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people.

32And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers.

33God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.'

15Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk.

16And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, 'Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men.

17Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?'

18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, 'Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?

19Show Me the tax money.'

20So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, 'Whose image and inscription is this?'

21They said to Him, 'Caesar's.'

22And He said to them, 'Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.' When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.

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.