After the birth of Jesus, which took place at Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod, lo! certain Magi arrived in Jerusalem, saying. "Where is the new-born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him." read more. When King Herod heard this he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. So when he had gathered together all the chief priests and rabbis of the people, he began to inquire of them where the Christ was to be born. And they told him. "At Bethlehem in Judea, as it is written in the prophet. "And thou Bethlehem in the land of Judah, Thou are not least among the princes of Judah, For out of thee shall come a ruler Who shall shepherd my people, Israel." Thereupon Herod sent secretly for the Magi, and found out from them the time when the star appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and make careful inquiry about the child, and as soon as you have found him bring me word, that I, too, may go and worship him." The Magi listened to the king, and went on their way, and lo! the star which they had seen in the east led them until it came and stood over the place where the young child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with great gladness. When they had entered the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and opening their treasure-chests they gave him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. But because they were forbidden by God in a dream to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route. When they were gone an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying; "Rise! Take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt, and there remain until I bring you word; for Herod intends to make a search for the child, in order to put him to death." So Joseph arose, took the child and his mother, by night, and departed to Egypt. There he remained until the death of Herod, in order that the word of the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, which says, Out of Egypt I called my son. As soon as Herod saw that he had been mocked by the Magi, he was furious. He sent and put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and all the neighborhood who were two years old or under, in accordance with the date which he had ascertained from the Magi. Then were fulfilled the words spoken through Jeremiah, the prophet, saying, A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and lamentation??achel weeping for her children, Inconsolable, because they were no more! But after Herod's death an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Rise! Take the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the life of the child are dead." So he rose and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there; and being warned of God in a dream, he withdrew into Galilee and settled in a town called Nazareth,

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there; and being warned of God in a dream, he withdrew into Galilee and settled in a town called Nazareth,

Just then Herod, the Tetrarch, heard of Jesus' fame, and said to his courtiers. "This man is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead. That is why miraculous powers are working through him." read more. For Herod had apprehended John, shackled him, and thrust him into prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,

For Herod had apprehended John, shackled him, and thrust him into prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,

For Herod had apprehended John, shackled him, and thrust him into prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because John kept telling him, "It is not right for you to have her."

because John kept telling him, "It is not right for you to have her." And although he wished to kill John, he feared the people, for they considered John a prophet.

And although he wished to kill John, he feared the people, for they considered John a prophet. But when Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company,

But when Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company,

The king was displeased because of this, but because of his oaths and his guests he ordered it to be given her.

King Herod heard it, for the name of Jesus had become well known, People were saying, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and on that account these powers are working in him." "He is Elijah," said others. And still others were saying, "He is a prophet, like one of the old prophets." read more. But when Herod heard, he said, "That John whom I beheaded has come back to life." Now this Herod had sent and arrested John, and bound him in prison, for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married.

Now this Herod had sent and arrested John, and bound him in prison, for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married.

Now this Herod had sent and arrested John, and bound him in prison, for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. For John had often told Herod, "It is not right for you to live with your brother's wife."

For John had often told Herod, "It is not right for you to live with your brother's wife." So Herodias hated him, and wished to put him to death;

So Herodias hated him, and wished to put him to death; but she could not, for Herod was afraid of John because he knew that he was a just and holy man. So he kept him safe. When he listened to John he was much exercised, yet he found pleasure in listening to him.

but she could not, for Herod was afraid of John because he knew that he was a just and holy man. So he kept him safe. When he listened to John he was much exercised, yet he found pleasure in listening to him. Then came a convenient day, when Herod on his birthday held a feast for his lords and generals and the leading men of Galilee,

Then came a convenient day, when Herod on his birthday held a feast for his lords and generals and the leading men of Galilee, at which the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced. She charmed Herod and his guests. "Ask me whatever you want," said the king to the young girl, "and I will give it to you."

at which the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced. She charmed Herod and his guests. "Ask me whatever you want," said the king to the young girl, "and I will give it to you."

In the reign of Herod, King of Judea, there was a certain priest, named Zachariah, belonging to the class of Abijah. He had a wife named Elizabeth,

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip, tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene;

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip, tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene; during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zachariah, in the Desert. read more. And John went into all the region about the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. As it is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah. The voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare the way for God, make straight paths for him. Every ravine shall be filled up, Every hill and mountain shall be laid low, The crooked shall be made straight, And the rough roads smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. So John used to say to the crowd of those who were going out to be baptized by him. "You breed of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Then bring forth fruit befitting your penitence, and do not begin to say to yourselves, "We have Abraham as our father." I tell you that God is able to raise up sons to Abraham out of these stones. And now truly the axe is already laid at the root of the trees. So every tree which is not bearing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." And the crowd began to ask him questions. "What shall we do then?" they asked. In reply he said to them. "If you have two shirts share with him who has none; and let him who has food do the same." There came to him publicans also to be baptized, and they said to him, "Master, what must we do?" And he said to them, "Exact no more than the sum allowed you." The soldiers also repeatedly questioned him, saying, "And we, what shall we do?" "Do not intimidate any one," he replied, "nor lay false charges, and be content with your pay." And while the people were in expectation, and all men were debating in their hearts about John, whether perhaps he were the Christ, John answered, saying to all of them. "I indeed am baptizing you in water, but One is coming after me, mightier than I, whose shoe-latchet I am not worthy to unloose. He shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost and in fire. He has his fan in his hand to cleanse his threshing-floor thoroughly, and to gather the wheat into his storehouse, but the chaff will he burn with unquenchable fire." With many other exhortations then John declared the gospel to the people; but Herod, the Tetrarch, when reproved by him because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and because of all the wicked deeds that he had done,

but Herod, the Tetrarch, when reproved by him because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and because of all the wicked deeds that he had done,

but Herod, the Tetrarch, when reproved by him because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and because of all the wicked deeds that he had done,

Now Herod, the Tetrarch, heard of all that was happening; and he was perplexed because of its being said by someone that John was risen from the dead;

That very day there came some Pharisees to him, saying, "Get out of here and go away, for Herod wishes to kill you."

and when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction he sent him to Herod, who himself happened to be in Jerusalem during those days. Now when Herod saw Jesus he was exceedingly glad. He had long been wanting to see him, because he had heard so much about him, and was hoping to see some miracles performed by him. read more. So he had been asking him many questions, but Jesus made no answers. Meanwhile the high priests and Scribes were standing around, and continually making accusations to him against him. Then Herod and his soldiers set him at naught, and mocked him, and throwing about him a gorgeous robe, sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends again from that very day; for before they had been at enmity between themselves. So Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them. "You brought before me this man as one who incited the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence, and I find no fault in this man regarding the charges that you brought against him. Neither does Herod; for he sent him back to us. You see that he has done nothing worthy of death.

Now, at about that time, Herod the king put forth his hands to ill-treat certain members of the church; and beheaded James, the brother of John, with the sword. read more. And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (This was during the days of unleavened bread.) He had him arrested and thrown in prison, and put under guard of sixteen soldiers. He intended, after the Passover, to bring him forth to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer to God was made by the church for him. Now when Herod was about to bring him forth, on that very night, while Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison, suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. Striking Peter on the side, he woke him saying, "Rise up quickly." At once the chains dropped from his hands. "Gird yourself," said the angel, "and put on your sandals." He did so. Then he said unto him, "Throw your cloak about you, and follow me." So Peter went out, following him, but did not realize that what the angel was doing was real, but supposed that he was seeing a vision. And when they had passed the first guard and the second, they came to the iron gate that led to the city. This opened to them of its own accord; and they went out passed on through one street; and suddenly the angel left him. Peter, coming to himself, said, "Now I know for a certainty that the Lord has sent his angel and released me from the hand of Herod, and from all that the Jewish people were anticipating." So, after he had thought things over, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, surnamed Mark, where a large number of people were assembled, praying. When he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid servant named Rhoda came to answer. And when she recognized Peter's voice, for very joy she did not open the door, but ran in and told them that Peter was standing in front of the gate. "You are mad," they said. But she confidently insisted that it was so. "It is his angel," they said. Meanwhile Peter continued to knock, until at last they opened the door, and were amazed to see that it was really he. He motioned to them to keep quiet, and told them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell all this to James," he said, "and to the brothers," and away he went to another place. When morning came there was no small stir among the soldiers as to what could possibly have become of Peter. Then Herod had search made for him, and could not find him. After sharply questioning the guards, he ordered them off to execution. He then went down from Judea to Caesarea, where he stayed for some time. Now Herod was violently displeased with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they came to him, with one accord, and after conciliating Blastus, the royal chamberlain, they begged for peace because their country depended upon the king's country for its food supply. So on the appointed day, Herod put on his royal robes, and after taking his seat upon the throne, began to harangue them.

Now there were in the church in Antioch prophets and teachers; Barnabas and Symeon, surnamed "the Black," Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, the foster-brother of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul.

Some days later Felix came, with his wife Drusilla, a Jewess; he sent for Paul, and listened to him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.

A short time after this King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.

A short time after this King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.

Then the king rose, and Bernice, and those who were sitting with him.