14At that time Herod, the ruler of Galilee and Perea, heard reports about Jesus. ²He said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist. He has risen from the dead! That is why he has the power to do miracles.”

³Herod had arrested John. He had tied him up and put him in prison because of Herodias. She was the wife of Herod’s brother Philip. ⁴John had been saying to Herod, “It is against the Law for you to have her.” ⁵Herod wanted to kill John. But he was afraid of the people, because they thought John was a prophet.

⁶On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod and his guests. She pleased Herod very much. ⁷So he promised with an oath to give her anything she asked for. ⁸Her mother told her what to say. So the girl said to Herod, “Give me the head of John the Baptist on a big plate.”

⁹The king was very upset. But he thought of his promise and his dinner guests. So he told one of his men to give her what she asked for. ¹⁰Herod had John’s head cut off in the prison. ¹¹His head was brought in on a big plate and given to the girl. She then carried it to her mother.

¹²John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

Read in Logos