4. Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.”
5. And 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.
6. And he was amazed at their unbelief.Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people.
7. And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.
8. He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money.
9. He 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.
11. But 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.”
12. So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God.
13. And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.
14. Herod 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.”
15. Others said, “He’s the prophet Elijah.” Still others said, “He’s a prophet like the other great prophets of the past.”
16. When Herod heard about Jesus, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has come back from the dead.”
17. For 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.
18. John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry your brother’s wife.”
19. So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod’s approval she was powerless,
20. for 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.
21. Herodias’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.
22. Then 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.”