CHAPTER 11

Jesus called his 12 Apostles together and through the Holy Spirit he gave them God’s authority to cast demons out of people and to heal every disease and sickness.

Before Jesus sent out his apostles on their mission journey, he gave them these instructions: “Do not go among the non-Jews or enter any town of the Samaritans. Instead go only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message to them, ‘The kingdom of God has arrived.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you have received, so freely give to others. And whatever Jewish village or town you enter, search there for a worthy person and stay at his home until you leave. As you enter the house, give a greeting. Give a blessing of peace to the homes that de- serve it, but do not bless the homes that do not deserve it. If anyone refuses to welcome you or listen to your teaching, leave that home or town and shake the dirt off your feet as a witness against him. For I tell you the truth: It will be much better for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of God’s judgment than for that Jewish town. Because the worker deserves his livelihood, do not take anything extra with you on your mission journey. “

Then Jesus said to his apostles, “I send you out like sheep among wolves, so be as wise as snakes and as harmless as doves. Be on your guard, for you will be handed over to Jewish courts and be flogged in synagogues. And for my sake you will be dragged before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the non-Jews. When you are arrested, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time, you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, a father will give his child to be put to death, and children will go against their parents and have them put to death. People will hate you because you are my disciples, but whoever stands strong to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. A student is not above his teacher, and a servant is not above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants to be like their masters. If they call me Satan, how much more will they persecute my followers? So do not be afraid of those who persecute you, for there is nothing concealed that will not be made public, or hidden that will not be revealed. What I tell you in the dark of night, shout it in the light of day; whatever is whispered in your ear in private, proclaim it from the housetops. Do not be afraid of those who can kill your body, but cannot kill your soul! Instead, you should fear God who can destroy both your body and soul in hell. Two birds are sold for a penny, but no bird dies without your Father’s care. So don’t be afraid, for you are much more valuable than birds!

“Whoever tells others about me, I will tell my Father in heaven about them. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny them before my Father in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace to the earth! I did not come to bring peace, but a sword of separation. For I came into the world to turn a son against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a person’s enemies will be the members of his own family. Anyone who loves his father, mother, son, or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. For I tell you the truth: If anyone gives a single cup of cold water to one of my disciples, that person will not lose his reward.”

Then Jesus sent out his apostles two by two throughout the villages and towns of Galilee. They proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God, and called people to repent and turn to God. They cast out many demons from people, and anointed many sick people with olive oil and healed them.

After Jesus had sent out his apostles, he began to proclaim and teach throughout the towns of Galilee.

Herod Antipas was one of the sons of Herod the Great, and the Roman governor of the regions of Galilee and Perea. One day he gave a banquet for his high officials, military leaders, and the leading men of Galilee at the Fortress of Machaerus in the region of Perea, east of the Dead Sea.

When the daughter of Herodias named Salome came into the birthday celebration and danced, she pleased Antipas and his dinner guests. Antipas was so pleased, he said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” Antipas promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask of me I will give you up to half of my kingdom.” The daughter went out and told her mother, Herodias, what Antipas had promised her. She asked her mother, “What should I ask for?” Herodias said, “Ask for the head of John the Baptist on a plate!”

Immediately the girl hurried in to Antipas and said, “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a plate.” When Antipas heard the daughter’s request, he was very troubled. But because of his oath in front of his guests, he ordered that the head of John be cut off. The ex- ecutioner went into the prison and cut off John’s head. The head was brought in on a plate, presented to the girl, and she showed it to her mother.

On hearing about John’s beheading, his disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. Then they went and told Jesus that John was dead.

At that time Herod Antipas heard the news about all that Jesus was doing in Galilee, for Jesus’ name had become very well known.

Antipas became very troubled because some people were saying that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead, and that is why these miracles of power are at work in Jesus. Others said that Jesus was Elijah.” And still others said, “He is a prophet who has come back to life.” Antipas heard this and said to his servants, “I cut off the head of John, and he has risen from the dead. That is why miraculous powers are working in him. Who is this person I hear so much about?”

From then on, Antipas looked for an opportunity to meet Jesus.

Then the apostles returned to Jesus from their mission journey and gathered around him in Capernaum and told him all they had done and taught.