Death is threatened to the Apostles as punishment for preaching Jesus. The Religious authorities feel threatened  by  the power of the Resurrection working through these inspired uneducated laymen. 

They are so filled by their Law inspired righteousness that they have neither place nor time to reflect on the Holy-Spirit -inspired understanding of their own scriptures preached by the Apostles. 

I too have a doubt about our Religious Authorities today. They are not threatened with death but crumble away from the teaching of the Holy Spirit as soon as they are faced by the task of defending an unpopular/unfashionable  absolute. The Way the Truth and the Life is not negotiable. It is what will bring us to our Eternity.

Dear Lord let not the unrighteous behaviour of priests  turn us away from you. Urge them to return to a pure uncontaminated faith in you and your gospel. 

The Baptist truly did prepare the way for the Lord. He knew even in the heart of the Temple and the Old Covenant  that Jesus was the Son of God and never ceased to preach the Word. I don't know how much is known about him other than baptism for the forgiveness of sin but he was known to Herod who "liked to listen to him although he was perplexed". Much in the gospel of the Lord is also perplexing so many have offered their interpretations but we must beware of false doctrines remembering Jesus' words "Many will teach in my name"

Dear Lord may my understanding avoid the sin of pride which does not thank you for enlightenment but rather praises itself on its intellect.