John the Baptist

14King 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."

And 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.

NoteHerod ruled Galilee for the Romans, and people called him king. John the Baptist dipped people in the Jordan River. That showed they were sorry and wanted to start again.

15Others said, "He is Elijah." Still others said, "He is a prophet, like the prophets long ago."

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

NoteElijah was a great prophet who lived long, long before. Many people believed he would come back one day.

16But when Herod heard it, he said, "It is John. I had his head cut off. He is alive again."

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

17Herod 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.

For 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.

NoteHerodias had been married to Herod's brother Philip. Then she married Herod instead. John said out loud that this was wrong.

18John kept telling Herod, "It is against God's law for you to have your brother's wife."

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

NoteGod's law said a man must not take his brother's wife. John was telling the king he had broken that law.

19So Herodias hated John and wanted him killed. But she was not able to do it.

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

20Herod 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.

For 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.

Note"Observed him" in old English means kept him safe. Herod locked John up but would not let anyone hurt him.

21At 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.

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

NoteGalilee was the part of the country where Jesus lived. Herod invited the most important men there. A birthday dinner like this went on for hours.

22The 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."

And 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.

Note"Damsel" is an old word for a young girl. She was probably about twelve years old.

23He made a strong promise to her. "Whatever you ask me for, I will give you, even half my kingdom."

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

Note"Half my kingdom" was a way of saying "almost anything." Kings said it to show how pleased they were.

24She went out and asked her mother, "What should I ask for?" Her mother said, "The head of John the Baptist."

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

25The 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."

And 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.

NoteA "charger" was a big flat dish for serving meat. "By and by" in old English means right now, not later.

26The king was very sad. But he had made a promise in front of his guests. So he would not say no to her.

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

NoteAn oath is a promise made in God's name. People believed such a promise could never be taken back. All Herod's guests had heard him say it.

27Right 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.

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

NoteAn executioner was a soldier whose job was killing prisoners.

28He brought the head on a big plate and gave it to the girl. The girl gave it to her mother.

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

29John's followers heard what had happened. They came and took his body and laid it in a tomb, a place for the dead.

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

NoteA tomb was a small room cut into rock. A dead body was laid inside, and a stone closed the door.

27They 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.

And 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,

28They asked him, "Who says you may do these things? Who gave you the right?"

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

29Jesus said, "I will ask you one question too. Answer me, and I will tell you who gave me the right."

And 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.

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

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

NoteBaptized means John dipped people down under the river water. It was a sign that they were sorry and wanted to start again.

31They talked it over with each other. "If we say it came from God, he will ask why we did not believe John."

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

32"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.

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

33So they told Jesus, "We do not know." Jesus said, "Then I will not tell you who gave me the right to do these things."

And 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.

5When Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias. He belonged to the priest group called Abia. His wife Elisabeth came from Aaron's family.

There 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.

NoteHerod was the king who ruled this land for the Romans. Judea was the southern part of the country, around Jerusalem. Aaron was the very first priest, long, long before. Priests came from his family, and so did Elisabeth. There were many priests, so they were split into groups. Each group took its turn working at the temple. A priest was someone who helped people worship God.

6Both of them did what was right before God. They obeyed all God's rules, and no one could blame them.

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

7They had no children, because Elisabeth could not have a baby. They were both very old.

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

8One day it was his group's turn to serve. Zacharias was doing his priest's work before God.

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

9The priests picked jobs by drawing lots. Zacharias was picked to go into the temple and burn incense.

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

NoteThe temple was the huge special building in Jerusalem where people worshiped God. Incense is sweet-smelling smoke made by burning sticky sap from trees. Burning it was a way of praying to God. To draw lots, priests picked marked stones from a pot. It was a bit like picking a name out of a hat.

10Outside, a big crowd of people was praying while the incense was burned.

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

11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him. The angel stood at the right side of the incense altar.

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

NoteAn angel is a messenger God sends from heaven. The incense altar was a small table where the incense was burned.

12When Zacharias saw the angel, he was shaken. He was very afraid.

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

13But 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."

But 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.

NoteBack then a name was chosen because of what it meant. The name John means "God has been kind."

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

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

15"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."

For 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.

NoteThe Holy Spirit is God himself, close to people and helping them. Some people made a special promise to God never to drink wine. It was a sign that their whole life belonged to God.

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

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

NoteIsrael was the name of God's people, and of the land they lived in.

17"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."

And 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.

NoteElias is another way of saying Elijah. Elijah was a brave prophet who lived hundreds of years before. A prophet is someone who tells people what God says.

18Zacharias asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am old, and my wife is old too."

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

19The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand before God. He sent me to speak to you and bring you this good news."

And 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.

NoteGabriel is an angel who brings God's most important messages to people.

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

And, 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.

21The people outside kept waiting for Zacharias. They wondered why he stayed so long in the temple.

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

22When 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.

And 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.

23When his days of temple work were finished, he went home.

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

24After that, Elisabeth learned she was going to have a baby. She stayed at home away from people for five months. She said,

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

25"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."

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

NoteLong ago, a woman with no children was often looked down on. Some people even thought God was unhappy with her. That is the shame Elisabeth is talking about.

57The time came for Elisabeth to have her baby. She gave birth to a son.

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

58Her neighbors and relatives heard how kind the Lord had been to her. They were happy along with her.

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

59When the baby was eight days old, they came to circumcise him. They planned to name him Zacharias, after his father.

And 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.

NoteWhen a baby boy was eight days old, a small cut was made on his body. It was a sign that he belonged to God's people. The baby was usually given his name on that same day.

60But his mother said, "No. He will be called John."

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

61They said to her, "No one in your family has that name."

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

NoteFamilies almost always used a name someone else in the family had. A brand new name was a surprise.

62So they made signs with their hands to his father. They asked what he wanted to name the boy.

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

63He asked for a writing tablet. He wrote, "His name is John." Everyone was surprised.

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

NoteA writing tablet was a small board covered with wax. You scratched letters into the wax with a pointed stick.

64Right away he could speak again. His tongue was free. He began to talk and to praise God.

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

65All the neighbors were filled with fear. People all over the hills of Judea talked about these things.

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

NoteThis fear is not the same as being frightened. It is the quiet, shivery feeling of being close to something holy.

66Everyone who heard kept it in their hearts. They asked, "What will this child grow up to be?" The Lord's hand was with him.

And 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.

67His father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit. He spoke this message from God:

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

NoteTo speak a message from God like this is called prophesying. The words often come out as a song or a poem.

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

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

NoteThe King James says God "redeemed" his people. To redeem someone is to pay so they can go free.

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

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

NoteThe King James calls this "an horn of salvation." A horn is the strong point on a bull's head. It was a picture of great strength. So it means God sent someone strong to rescue them.

70"He said this long ago through his holy prophets, who have lived since the world began."

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

NoteA prophet was someone who told people what God said.

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

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

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

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

NoteAn agreement like this is called a covenant. It is a promise two sides make and keep forever.

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

The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

NoteA promise made in the strongest way is called an oath. Once you swear it, you must keep it.

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

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

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

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

76"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."

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

NoteLong ago, workers fixed and cleared the road before a king came. That is the picture here.

77"You will tell his people how to be saved. That saving comes through God forgiving the wrong things they have done."

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

NoteSin means the wrong things people do. To forgive is to wipe those wrongs away.

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

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

NoteThe King James word here is "dayspring." It means the first light of the sun in the morning.

79"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."

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

Note"The shadow of death" is a way of saying a very dark and sad place.

80The child grew up and became strong in spirit. He lived out in the empty desert until he began his work for Israel.

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

NoteThis desert is dry, empty land with almost no people. Some men who wanted to listen to God went and lived there.

1This 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.

Now 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,

NoteCaesar was the ruler of Rome, a huge empire far away. Rome had taken over the land where these people lived. Pilate, Herod, Philip, and Lysanias each ran a piece of that land for Rome. The King James word for their job is "tetrarch." It means a ruler over one part of a country.

2Annas 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.

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

NoteA priest was a man who worked at the temple, God's house. The high priests were the ones in charge of all the others. This John is John the Baptist. He is not the John who later followed Jesus. "Zacharias" is another way to spell the name Zechariah.

3John went all around the land near the Jordan River. He told people to turn away from their sins and be baptized. Then their sins would be forgiven.

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

NoteTo be baptized means to be dipped in water. It showed everyone that you were making a fresh start. The Jordan is a river that runs through that land.

4This 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."

As 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.

Note"Esaias" is the old way of spelling the name Isaiah. He lived hundreds of years before John was born.

5"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."

Every 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;

NoteLong ago, when a king planned to visit, workers fixed the roads first. They filled holes and made the bumpy parts smooth. Isaiah says people should get ready for God the same way.

6"And every person will see how God saves."

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

7Crowds 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?"

Then 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?

NoteA viper is a snake with a bite full of poison. John is not saying they are snakes. He means they are acting sneaky and dangerous.

8"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."

Bring 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.

NoteAbraham lived long, long ago. All the Jewish people came from his family. Many of them thought that being his family kept them safe.

9"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."

And 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.

NoteFarmers cut down fruit trees that stopped growing fruit. An axe lying by the roots means the chopping is about to start.

10The people asked him, "So what should we do?"

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

11John answered them, "If you have two shirts, give one to someone who has none. If you have food, share it too."

He 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.

NoteThe King James says "two coats." It means the long shirt people wore every day. It also says "meat," which in 1611 meant any kind of food.

12Some tax collectors came to be baptized. They asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?"

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

NoteTax collectors took money from people to give to Rome. Many of them took extra money and kept it. That is why people did not like them.

13He told them, "Do not take more money than you are told to take."

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

14Some 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."

And 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.

NoteThese were soldiers with swords and power. They could scare people into handing over money. John tells them to stop doing that.

15The people were waiting and hoping. They all wondered in their hearts if John might be the Christ, the special king God promised to send.

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

16John 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."

John 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:

NoteTaking off a guest's dusty sandals was a servant's job. It was the lowest job in the house. John says he is not even good enough to do that.

17"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."

Whose 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.

NoteFarmers tossed cut grain into the air with a big wooden fork. The wind blew the light husks away. The heavy grain fell back down on the floor. Then they saved the grain and burned the husks.

18John said many other things like this. He kept telling the people the good news.

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

19John told Herod the ruler that he was wrong. He spoke to Herod about Herodias, the wife of his own brother Philip. John also told him he was wrong for all the other bad things he did.

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

NoteHerodias had been married to Herod's brother. Herod took her as his own wife. God's law said he must not do that.

20So Herod did one more bad thing on top of all the rest. He locked John up in prison.

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

18John the Baptist's followers told him about everything that had happened.

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

NoteJohn the Baptist told people to get ready because God was coming to help. He was in prison when he sent this question.

19John 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?"

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

NoteGod had promised long before to send a special king to save his people. That is the one John means.

20The 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?"

When 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?

21Right then Jesus healed many people of sicknesses and pains. He sent evil spirits out of people. He made many blind people able to see.

And 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.

NoteAn evil spirit was a bad, unseen being that could hurt a person.

22Then 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."

Then 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.

NotePeople with bad skin disease had to live away from everyone else. Being made clean meant they could go home again.

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

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

24John'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 plant bending in the wind?"

And 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?

NoteThe empty land was dry, wild country with almost no people in it. A reed is a tall grassy plant that grows by water and bends easily.

25"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."

But 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.

26"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."

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

27John is the one the holy writings tell about. They say, 'I am sending my messenger ahead of you. He will get the road ready for you.'

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

NoteBefore a king traveled, workers went ahead to fix the road for him. The holy writings are the old books of God's people that were written long before John.

28I tell you, no prophet ever born, no one who spoke for God, is greater than John. But whoever is smallest in God's kingdom is greater than he is.

For 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.

NoteGod's kingdom means everywhere God rules as king.

29All the people who heard this agreed that God was right. Even the tax collectors agreed. John had already baptized them, washing them in water.

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

NoteTax collectors gathered money for the Roman rulers. Many took extra for themselves, so people disliked them. Being baptized meant going down into water. It showed a person was sorry and wanted to start fresh.

30But 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.

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

NoteTeachers of the law studied God's rules and taught them to others.

31The Lord said, "What are the people of today like? What can I compare them to?"

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

32"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.'"

They 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.

NoteThe market was an open square where people bought and sold. Children played there. They copied grown-ups, playing wedding music or funeral songs.

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

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

NoteJohn ate very plain food and drank no wine. Some people gave up rich food and drink to show they were serving God.

34"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!'"

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

Note"Son of Man" was a name Jesus used for himself.

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

But wisdom is justified of all her children.

7Herod the ruler heard about everything Jesus was doing. He did not know what to think. Some people said John had come back to life.

Now 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;

NoteHerod ruled part of the country for the Romans, who were in charge of the whole land. John was John the Baptist, a preacher who told people to get ready for Jesus. Herod had put him in prison.

8Others said Elijah had appeared. Others said one of the old prophets had come back to life.

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

NoteElijah was a famous prophet who lived hundreds of years before. The old stories said he did not die like other people. Many hoped he would come back one day. A prophet was someone who told people what God said.

9Herod said, "I had John's head cut off. So who is this man I hear about?" He kept trying to see Jesus.

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

19Here is what John said. The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites, who helped at the temple, to ask him, "Who are you?"

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

NotePriests were men who worked at the temple. The temple was the big special building in Jerusalem where people worshiped God. Levites came from one family, and they helped the priests there.

20John did not hide anything. He said clearly, "I am not the Christ, the king God promised to send."

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

Note"Christ" is not a last name. It means the one God chose, the king God promised to send.

21They 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."

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

NoteElijah was a prophet long ago. A prophet is someone who tells people what God says. Elijah went up to heaven, and people watched for him to come back.

22So they said, "Then who are you? We must bring an answer back to the men who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

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

23John 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.

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

NoteThe wilderness is empty land with no towns, mostly rocks and sand. Long ago, workers fixed and smoothed the road before a king came. Isaiah was a prophet who lived hundreds of years before John.

24The men who had been sent were Pharisees. They were a group who cared very much about God's rules.

And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.

NoteThe Pharisees were a group of teachers. They tried very hard to keep every one of God's rules.

25They asked him, "Then why do you baptize people? You say you are not the Christ, or Elijah, or the Prophet."

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

NoteTo baptize someone is to dip them under water for a moment. It showed they were sorry and wanted to start fresh with God.

26John answered, "I baptize with water. But someone is standing here among you, and you do not know him.

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

27He is coming after me, and he is greater than me. I am not even good enough to untie his sandals."

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

NoteThe King James says "whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." A latchet is the strap of a sandal. Only a servant untied his master's sandals. John says he is not even good enough for that job.

28All this happened at Bethabara, across the Jordan River. That is where John was baptizing.

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

NoteThe Jordan is the main river in that land. Bethabara was a place on the far side of it.

29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him. He said, "Look, the Lamb of God! He takes away the sin of the world.

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

NoteA lamb is a baby sheep. People brought lambs to the temple as gifts to God when they had done wrong. "Sin" means doing what is wrong.

30This is the man I talked about. I said, 'A man is coming after me who is greater than me. That is because he was here before me.'

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

31I did not know who he was. But I came baptizing with water so the people of Israel could see him."

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

NoteIsrael is another name for the Jewish people. They came from a man named Jacob, whom God renamed Israel.

32Then John said, "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven like a dove. The Spirit stayed on him.

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

NoteA dove is a soft gray bird, like a pigeon. The Spirit is God himself, come close.

33I 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.'

And 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.

NoteThe King James says "Holy Ghost." That is an old way to say Holy Spirit. Ghost used to just mean spirit.

34I saw it happen. And I have told everyone that this is the Son of God."

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