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FEBRUARY 27

6:11 shake off the dust. A symbolic act that 6:15 “It is Elijah.” This identification of Jesus,
signified complete renunciation of further fel- which probably had been discussed repeated-
lowship with those who rejected them. When ly among the Jews, was based on the Jewish
the disciples made this gesture,it would show expectation that the prophet Elijah would
that the people had rejected Jesus and the return prior to Messiah’s coming. the
gospel and were hence rejected by the disci- Prophet…one of the prophets. Some saw
ples and by the Lord. more tolerable for Jesus as the fulfillment of Deuteronomy 18:15,
Sodom and Gomorrah. People who reject the messianic prophecy that looked to the
Christ’s gracious, saving gospel will face a fate One who, like Moses, would lead His people.
worse than those pagans killed by divine Others were willing to identify Jesus only as a
judgment on the two Old Testament cities. great prophet, or one who was resuming the
suspended line of Old Testament prophets.
6:13 anointed with oil…sick. In Jesus’ day These and the other opinions, although mis-
olive oil was often used medicinally (see Luke placed, show that the people still thought
10:34). But here it represented the power and Jesus was special or somehow supernatural.
presence of the Holy Spirit and was used sym-
bolically in relation to supernatural healing
(see Is. 11:2; Zech. 4:1–6; Matt. 25:2–4; Rev. and holy man, and he protected him. And
1:4,12). As a well-known healing agent, the oil when he heard him, he did many things, and
was an appropriate, tangible medium the heard him gladly.
people could identify with as the disciples 21 Then an opportune day came when Herod
ministered to the sick among them. on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the
high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.
22 And when Herodias’ daughter herself came
in the day of judgment than for that city!” in and danced, and pleased Herod and those
12 So they went out and preached that people who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask
should repent. And they cast out many me whatever you want, and I will give it to
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demons, and anointed with oil many who were you.” He also swore to her, “Whatever you
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sick, and healed them. ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
14 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His 24 So she went out and said to her mother,
name had become well known. And he said, “What shall I ask?”
“John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and And she said, “The head of John the
therefore these powers are at work in him.” Baptist!”
15 Others said, “It is Elijah.” 25 Immediately she came in with haste to the
And others said, “It is the Prophet, or like king and asked, saying, “I want you to give
one of the prophets.” me at once the head of John the Baptist on a
16 But when Herod heard, he said, “This is platter.”
John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet,
from the dead!” For Herod himself had sent because of the oaths and because of those
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and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison who sat with him, he did not want to refuse
for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s her. Immediately the king sent an execution-
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wife; for he had married her. Because John er and commanded his head to be brought.
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had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to And he went and beheaded him in prison,
have your brother’s wife.” 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to
19 Therefore Herodias held it against him the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.
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and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and
Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.
DAY 27:What is the relationship of unbelief and Jesus’ working in people’s lives?
Although the people in Jesus’hometown of Nazareth were “astonished”by Jesus’wisdom and
mighty works (Mark 6:2), their initial reaction gave way to skepticism and a critical attitude toward
Jesus.They still thought of Jesus as a carpenter and the son of Mary with brothers and sisters (v.3).
The residents of Nazareth were deeply offended at Jesus’posturing Himself as some great teacher
because of His ordinary background,His limited formal education,and His lack of an officially sanc-
tioned religious position.

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