The commencement of Jesus’s public ministry in Galilee is announced in connection with the arrest of John the Baptizer. The same Greek word (paradidōmi, “hand over”) for John’s arrest (NIV “put in prison”) will later be used for the handing over of the Son of Man (9:31; 10:33) and of Christian disciples (13:9, 11–12). This signifies that Jesus will proclaim the gospel, as it was proclaimed by John, in the face of adversity and suffering. “Good news” is thus costly news. The long-awaited eschatological era and the kingdom of God are fulfilled in Jesus’s person and…