From prison, John the Baptist sends messengers to ask Jesus, 'Are you He who was to come, or shall we look for another?' Jesus sends John affirmation, bidding messengers to tell the Baptist all they have seen and heard. After they depart, Jesus confirms that He is the Messiah and that John the Baptist was His forerunner as prophesied. Herod has a banquet, Salome dances, and John the Baptist is executed. Jesus, told of the Baptist's death, informs His disciples.
