Mark 6:14–29
14 King n * Herod o heard of this, because Jesus’ name p had become well known. Some q said, “John the Baptist r has been raised from the dead, s and that’s why supernatural powers t are at work u in him.” 15 But others said, “He’s Elijah.” v Still others said, “He’s a prophet w—like one of the prophets.” x
16 When Herod y heard of it, he said, “John, z the one I beheaded, has been raised!” a 17 For b Herod himself had given orders to arrest John and to chain c him in prison on account of Herodias, d his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. e 18 John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful f for you to have your brother’s wife!” g 19 So Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill h him. But she could not, 20 because Herod was in awe i of j John and was protecting him, knowing he was a righteous k and holy l man. When Herod heard him he would be very disturbed, m n yet would hear him gladly. o
21 Now an opportune time came on his birthday, when Herod gave a banquet p for his nobles, q military commanders, r and the leading men of Galilee. s 22 When Herodias’s own daughter t came in and danced, u she pleased Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 So he swore v oaths w to her: “Whatever you ask me I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” x
24 Then she went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?”
“John the Baptist’s y head!” she said.
25 Immediately she hurried to the king and said, “I want you to give me John the Baptist’s z head on a platter a—right now!”
26 Though the king was deeply distressed, b because of his oaths c and the guests d he did not want to refuse e her. 27 The king immediately sent for an executioner and commanded him to bring John’s head. So he went and beheaded him in prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples f g heard about it, they came and removed his corpse and placed it in a tomb. h