Mark 6:14–29

John the Baptist’s Head Is Cut Off

14King Herod heard about this. Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead! That is why he has the power to do miracles.”

15Others said, “He is Elijah.”

Still others claimed, “He is a prophet. He is like one of the prophets of long ago.”

16But when Herod heard this, he said, “I had John’s head cut off. And now he has been raised from the dead!”

17In fact, it was Herod himself who had given orders to arrest John. He had him tied up and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias. She was the wife of Herod’s brother Philip. But now Herod was married to her. 18John had been saying to Herod, “It is against the Law for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19Herodias held that against John. She wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20because Herod was afraid of John. So he kept John safe. Herod knew John was a holy man who did what was right. When Herod heard him, he was very puzzled. But he liked to listen to him.

21Finally the right time came. Herod gave a big dinner on his birthday. He invited his high officials and military leaders. He also invited the most important men in Galilee. 22Then the daughter of Herodias came in and danced. She pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want. I’ll give it to you.” 23And he promised her with an oath, “Anything you ask for I will give you. I’ll give you up to half of my kingdom.”

24She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?”

“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

25At once the girl hurried to ask the king. She said, “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a big plate right now.”

26The king was very upset. But he thought of his promise and his dinner guests. So he did not want to say no to the girl. 27He sent a man right away to bring John’s head. The man went to the prison and cut off John’s head. 28He brought it back on a big plate. He gave it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.

29John’s disciples heard about this. So they came and took his body. Then they placed it in a tomb.