John the Baptist

14And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

King Herod heard about Jesus, because everyone was talking about him. People were saying, "John the Baptist, the man who baptized people in the river, is alive again. That is why he can do these powerful things."

15Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.

Others said, "He is Elijah." Still others said, "He is a prophet, like the prophets long ago."

16But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

But when Herod heard it, he said, "It is John. I had his head cut off. He is alive again."

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

Herod himself had sent men to arrest John. They tied him up and put him in prison. He did this because of Herodias. She had been the wife of Philip, Herod's brother, and Herod had married her.

18For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.

John kept telling Herod, "It is against God's law for you to have your brother's wife."

19Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:

So Herodias hated John and wanted him killed. But she was not able to do it.

20For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

Herod was afraid of John. He knew John was a good and holy man, so he kept him safe. John's words upset him, and still he liked to listen to him.

21And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;

At last the right day came for Herodias. On his birthday, Herod gave a big dinner. He invited his leaders, his army officers, and the important men of Galilee.

22And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

The daughter of Herodias came in and danced. She pleased Herod and the guests eating with him. The king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want. I will give it to you."

23And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

He made a strong promise to her. "Whatever you ask me for, I will give you, even half my kingdom."

24And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

She went out and asked her mother, "What should I ask for?" Her mother said, "The head of John the Baptist."

25And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.

The girl hurried straight back to the king. She said, "I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a big plate, right now."

26And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.

The king was very sad. But he had made a promise in front of his guests. So he would not say no to her.

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

Right away the king sent a soldier and told him to bring John's head. The man went and cut off John's head in the prison.

28And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.

He brought the head on a big plate and gave it to the girl. The girl gave it to her mother.

29And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

John's followers heard what had happened. They came and took his body and laid it in a tomb, a grave cut in rock.

27And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,

They came back to Jerusalem. Jesus was walking in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him. Elders were older leaders of the people.

28And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?

They asked him, "Who says you may do these things? Who gave you the right?"

29And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Jesus said, "I will ask you one question too. Answer me, and I will tell you who gave me the right."

30The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.

"When John baptized people, did that come from God or from men? Answer me."

31And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?

They talked it over with each other. "If we say it came from God, he will ask why we did not believe John."

32But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.

"But if we say it came from men—" They were afraid of the people. Everyone believed John really was a prophet, someone who spoke God's words.

33And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

So they told Jesus, "We do not know." Jesus said, "Then I will not tell you who gave me the right to do these things."

5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

When Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias. Priests helped people worship God. He belonged to the priest group called Abia. His wife Elisabeth came from Aaron's family.

6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Both of them did what was right before God. They obeyed all God's rules, and no one could blame them.

7And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

They had no children, because Elisabeth could not have a baby. They were both very old.

8And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,

One day it was his group's turn to serve. Zacharias was doing his priest's work before God.

9According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

The priests picked jobs by drawing lots. Zacharias was picked to go into the temple and burn incense.

10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

Outside, a big crowd of people was praying while the incense was burned.

11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him. The angel stood at the right side of the incense altar.

12And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

When Zacharias saw the angel, he was shaken. He was very afraid.

13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

But the angel said, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias. God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elisabeth will have a son. You will name him John."

14And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

"You will be full of joy and gladness. Many people will be glad when he is born."

15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.

"He will be great in the Lord's sight. He will never drink wine or any strong drink. He will be full of the Holy Spirit even before he is born."

16And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

"He will bring many people of Israel back to the Lord their God."

17And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

"He will go ahead of the Lord with the same spirit and power as Elias. He will turn fathers' hearts back to their children. He will turn people who will not obey toward the wisdom of those who do right. He will get people ready for the Lord."

18And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

Zacharias asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am old, and my wife is old too."

19And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand before God. He sent me to speak to you and bring you this good news."

20And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

"Now you will not be able to speak until this happens. You did not believe my words. They will come true at the right time."

21And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

The people outside kept waiting for Zacharias. They wondered why he stayed so long in the temple.

22And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

When he came out, he could not speak to them. They understood that God had shown him something in the temple. He kept making signs with his hands, and he still could not speak.

23And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

When his days of temple work were finished, he went home.

24And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

After that, Elisabeth learned she was going to have a baby. She stayed at home away from people for five months. She said,

25Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

"The Lord has done this for me. He looked at me and was kind. He has taken away my shame in front of other people."

57Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

The time came for Elisabeth to have her baby. She gave birth to a son.

58And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

Her neighbors and relatives heard how kind the Lord had been to her. They were happy along with her.

59And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

When the baby was eight days old, they came to circumcise him. They planned to name him Zacharias, after his father.

60And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

But his mother said, "No. He will be called John."

61And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

They said to her, "No one in your family has that name."

62And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

So they made signs with their hands to his father. They asked what he wanted to name the boy.

63And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

He asked for a writing tablet. He wrote, "His name is John." Everyone was surprised.

64And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

Right away he could speak again. His tongue was free. He began to talk and to praise God.

65And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

All the neighbors felt a deep, quiet fear. People all over the hills of Judea talked about these things.

66And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Everyone who heard kept it in their hearts. They asked, "What will this child grow up to be?" The Lord's hand was with him.

67And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

His father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit. He spoke this message from God:

68Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

"Praise the Lord, the God of Israel! He has come to help his people and set them free."

69And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

"He has sent us a strong Savior from the family of his servant David."

70As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

"He promised this long ago through his holy prophets. Prophets told people what God said."

71That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

"He promised to save us from our enemies, and from all who hate us."

72To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

"He promised to be kind to our fathers. He promised to remember his holy agreement."

73The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

"This is the promise he made to our father Abraham."

74That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

"He would save us from our enemies. Then we could serve him without being afraid."

75In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

"We can live holy lives and do what is right before him, every day we live."

76And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

"And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord and get the way ready for him."

77To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

"You will tell his people how to be saved. God will forgive the wrong things they have done."

78Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

"Our God is very kind and gentle. His light from heaven is coming to us, like a new morning."

79To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

"That light will shine on people who sit in the dark, where death casts its shadow. It will lead our feet onto the path of peace."

80And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

The child grew up and became strong in spirit. He lived out in the empty desert until he began his work for Israel.

1Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,

This happened in the fifteenth year that Tiberius Caesar ruled Rome. Pontius Pilate was the governor of Judaea, the ruler for Rome. Herod ruled part of the land called Galilee. His brother Philip ruled Ituraea and Trachonitis. Lysanias ruled Abilene.

2Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests, the top leaders at the temple. At that time God spoke his word to John, the son of Zacharias. John was out in the desert.

3And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

John went all around the land near the Jordan River. He told people to turn away from their sins and be baptized, washed in the river. Then their sins would be forgiven.

4As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

This is what Esaias the prophet wrote long ago. A prophet was someone who told people what God said. He wrote: "Someone is calling out in the desert. Get the road ready for the Lord. Make his paths straight."

5Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

"Every low valley will be filled up. Every mountain and hill will be made low. Crooked roads will be made straight. Bumpy roads will be made smooth."

6And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

"And every person will see how God saves."

7Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Crowds came out to be baptized by John. He said to them, "You are like a nest of poison snakes. Who told you to run away from the anger that is coming?"

8Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

"Live in a way that shows you really have changed. Do not tell yourselves, 'Abraham is our father, so we are safe.' God could take these stones and make them into children for Abraham."

9And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

"The axe is already lying at the roots of the trees. Every tree that does not grow good fruit gets chopped down. Then it is thrown into the fire."

10And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

The people asked him, "So what should we do?"

11He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

John answered them, "If you have two shirts, give one to someone who has none. If you have food, share it too."

12Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

Some tax collectors came to be baptized. They asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?"

13And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

He told them, "Do not take more money than you are told to take."

14And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

Some soldiers asked him too, "And what should we do?" He said, "Do not hurt people or take their money. Do not tell lies about anyone. Be happy with the pay you get."

15And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;

The people were waiting and hoping. They all wondered in their hearts if John might be the Christ, the special king God promised to send.

16John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But someone stronger than I am is coming. I am not even good enough to untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."

17Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

"He is holding his big wooden fork. He will clean off his whole grain floor. He will gather the good wheat into his barn. But he will burn the useless husks in a fire that no one can put out."

18And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.

John said many other things like this. He kept telling the people the good news.

19But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

John told Herod the ruler that he was wrong. Herod had taken Herodias, the wife of his own brother Philip. John also told him he was wrong for all the other bad things he did.

20Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

So Herod did one more bad thing on top of all the rest. He locked John up in prison.

18And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

John the Baptist's followers told him about everything that had happened.

19And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

John called two of his followers. He sent them to ask Jesus, "Are you the one who was coming? Or should we wait for someone else?"

20When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

The men came to Jesus and said, "John the Baptist sent us to ask you this. Are you the one who was coming, or should we wait for someone else?"

21And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.

Right then Jesus healed many people of sicknesses and pains. He sent evil spirits out of people. He made many blind people able to see.

22Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

Then Jesus answered them, "Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard. Blind people see. People who could not walk now walk. People with bad skin disease are made clean. Deaf people hear. Dead people are raised to life. Poor people hear the good news."

23And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

"God will bless the person who does not turn away from me."

24And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

John's men left, and Jesus began to talk to the crowd about John. He asked, "What did you go out to the empty land to see? A tall plant bending in the wind?"

25But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts.

"Then what did you go out to see? A man in soft, fine clothes? People who wear fancy clothes and live in comfort are in kings' houses."

26But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

"So what did you go out to see? A prophet, a person who speaks for God? Yes, I tell you, John is even more than that."

27This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

"John is the one God wrote about long ago. God said, 'I am sending my messenger ahead of you. He will get the road ready for you.'"

28For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

"I tell you, no one ever born is greater than John. But whoever is smallest in God's kingdom is greater than he is."

29And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

All the people who heard this agreed that God was right. Even the tax collectors agreed. John had already baptized them, washing them in water.

30But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law said no to God's plan for them. Pharisees were men who tried hard to keep every rule. They would not let John baptize them.

31And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

The Lord said, "What are the people of today like? What can I compare them to?"

32They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

"They are like children sitting in the market. They call out to each other, 'We played happy music, but you did not dance. We sang a sad song, but you did not cry.'"

33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.

"John the Baptist came. He did not eat bread or drink wine. And you say, 'An evil spirit is in him.'"

34The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

"I, the Son of Man, came eating and drinking. And you say, 'Look, he eats and drinks too much! He is a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'"

35But wisdom is justified of all her children.

"But everyone who follows wisdom shows that wisdom is right."

7Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;

Herod the ruler heard about everything Jesus was doing. He did not know what to think. Some people said John had come back to life.

8And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

Others said Elijah had appeared. Others said one of the old prophets had come back to life. A prophet was someone who told people what God said.

9And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

Herod said, "I had John's head cut off. So who is this man I hear about?" He kept trying to see Jesus.

19And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

Here is what John said. The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites, who helped at the temple, to ask him, "Who are you?"

20And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

John did not hide anything. He said clearly, "I am not the Christ, the king God promised to send."

21And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

They asked, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah, the prophet from long ago?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet God promised?" He answered, "No."

22Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?

So they said, "Then who are you? We must bring an answer back to the men who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

23He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

John said, "I am a voice calling out in the empty desert. I say, 'Make the road straight for the Lord.'" The prophet Isaiah wrote those words long ago.

24And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.

The men who had been sent were Pharisees. They were a group who cared very much about God's rules.

25And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

They asked him, "Then why do you baptize people? You say you are not the Christ, or Elijah, or the Prophet."

26John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;

John answered, "I baptize with water. But someone is standing here among you, and you do not know him.

27He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

He is coming after me, and he is greater than me. I am not even good enough to untie his sandals."

28These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

All this happened at Bethabara, across the Jordan River. That is where John was baptizing.

29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him. He said, "Look, the Lamb of God! He takes away the sin of the world.

30This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

This is the man I talked about. I said, 'A man is coming after me who is greater than me. He was here before me.'

31And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

I did not know who he was. But I came baptizing with water so the people of Israel could see him."

32And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

Then John said, "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven like a dove. The Spirit stayed on him.

33And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

I did not know who he was. But God sent me to baptize with water. God told me, 'You will see the Spirit come down and stay on a man. He is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'

34And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

I saw it happen. And I have told everyone that this is the Son of God."