and if you are willing to believe their message, John is Elijah, whose coming was predicted.

But I tell you that Elijah has already come and people did not recognize him, but treated him just as they pleased. In the same way they will also mistreat the Son of Man."

Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

He will go ahead of the Lord, strong and mighty like the prophet Elijah. He will bring fathers and children together again; he will turn disobedient people back to the way of thinking of the righteous; he will get the Lord's people ready for him."

Now King Herod heard about all this, because Jesus' reputation had spread everywhere. Some people were saying, "John the Baptist has come back to life! That is why he has this power to perform miracles."

When Herod heard it, he said, "He is John the Baptist! I had his head cut off, but he has come back to life!"

John the Baptist kept telling Herod, "It isn't right for you to marry your brother's wife!"

Herod was afraid of John because he knew that John was a good and holy man, and so he kept him safe. He liked to listen to him, even though he became greatly disturbed every time he heard him.

The daughter of Herodias came in and danced, and pleased Herod and his guests. So the king said to the girl, "What would you like to have? I will give you anything you want."

So the girl went out and asked her mother, "What shall I ask for?" "The head of John the Baptist," she answered.

This made the king very sad, but he could not refuse her because of the vows he had made in front of all his guests.

then he brought it on a plate and gave it to the girl, who gave it to her mother.

For Herod had earlier ordered John's arrest, and he had him tied up and put in prison. He had done this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.

Herod wanted to kill him, but he was afraid of the Jewish people, because they considered John to be a prophet.

that he promised her, "I swear that I will give you anything you ask for!"

The king was sad, but because of the promise he had made in front of all his guests he gave orders that her wish be granted.

The head was brought in on a plate and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.

But John reprimanded Governor Herod, because he had married Herodias, his brother's wife, and had done many other evil things.

Then Herod did an even worse thing by putting John in prison.

Was there any prophet that your ancestors did not persecute? They killed God's messengers, who long ago announced the coming of his righteous Servant. And now you have betrayed and murdered him.