Jesus Begins to Preach

John had been put in prison. When Jesus heard about this, he returned to Galilee.

“Suppose someone has a claim against you and is taking you to court. Settle the matter quickly. Do this while you are still together on the way. If you don’t, you may be handed over to the judge. The judge may hand you over to the officer to be thrown into prison.

John the Baptist was in prison. When he heard about the actions of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him.

Herod had arrested John. He had tied him up and put him in prison because of Herodias. She was the wife of Herod’s brother Philip.

Herod had John’s head cut off in the prison.

“But the first servant refused. Instead, he went and had the man thrown into prison. The man would be held there until he could pay back what he owed.

I needed clothes. And you gave them to me. I was sick. And you took care of me. I was in prison. And you came to visit me.’

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

I was a stranger. But you did not invite me in. I needed clothes. But you did not give me any. I was sick and in prison. But you did not take care of me.’

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty and not help you? When did we see you as a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison and not help you?’

It was the governor’s practice at the Passover Feast to let one prisoner go free. The people could choose the one they wanted.

At that time they had a well-known prisoner named Jesus Barabbas.

Jesus Preaches the Good News

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee. He preached the good news of God.

In fact, it was Herod himself who had given orders to arrest John. He had him tied up and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias. She was the wife of Herod’s brother Philip. But now Herod was married to her.

He sent a man right away to bring John’s head. The man went to the prison and cut off John’s head.

It was the usual practice at the Passover Feast to let one prisoner go free. The people could choose the one they wanted.

A man named Barabbas was in prison. He was there with some other people who had fought against the country’s rulers. They had committed murder while they were fighting against the rulers.

So Herod locked John up in prison. Herod added this sin to all his others.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me. He has anointed me to announce the good news to poor people. He has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners. He has sent me so that the blind will see again. He wants me to set free those who are treated badly.

Suppose someone has a claim against you, and you are on your way to court. Try hard to settle the matter on the way. If you don’t, that person may drag you off to the judge. The judge may turn you over to the officer. And the officer may throw you into prison.

“But before all this, people will arrest you and treat you badly. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison. You will be brought to kings and governors. All this will happen to you because of my name.

Some will be killed by the sword. Others will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be taken over by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles come to an end.

But Simon replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

Barabbas had been thrown into prison. He had taken part in a struggle in the city against the authorities. He had also committed murder.

He set free the man they asked for. The man had been thrown in prison for murder and for fighting against the authorities. Pilate handed Jesus over to them so they could carry out their plans.