4. Jesus said to them, “Other people give honor to a prophet. But in his own town with his own people and in his own home, a prophet does not receive honor.”
5. Jesus was not able to work many miracles there. The only miracles he did were to heal some sick people by putting his hands on them.
6. Jesus was amazed that they had no faith.Then Jesus went to other villages in that area and taught.
7. He called the 12 followers together and sent them out in groups of 2. He gave them authority over evil spirits.
8. This is what Jesus told them: “Take nothing for your trip except a walking stick. Take no bread, no bag, and no money in your pockets.
9. Wear sandals, and take only the clothes you are wearing.
10. When you enter a house, stay there until you leave that place.
11. If any town refuses to accept you or its people refuse to listen to you, then leave that town. Shake its dust off your feet. This will be a warning to them.”
12. The followers went out and preached to the people to change their hearts and lives.
13. The followers forced many demons out and poured olive oil on many sick people and healed them.
14. King Herod heard about Jesus, because Jesus was now well known. Some people said, “He is John the Baptist. He is risen from death. That is the reason he can work these miracles.”
15. Others said, “He is Elijah.”Other people said, “Jesus is a prophet. He is like the prophets who lived long ago.”
16. Herod heard all these things about Jesus. He said, “I killed John by cutting off his head. Now he has been raised from death!”
17. Herod himself had ordered his soldiers to arrest John, and John was put in prison. Herod did this to please his wife, Herodias. Herodias was the wife of Philip, Herod’s brother. But then Herod married her.
18. John told Herod that it was not lawful for him to be married to his brother’s wife.
19. So Herodias hated John and wanted to kill him. But she could not because of Herod.