Mark 6:14–29

John the Baptist is Murdered

Matt. 14:1–12; Luke 9:7–9

^14qNow King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore ^rthese powers are at work in him.”

^15sOthers said, “It is Elijah.”

And others said, “It is ³the Prophet, ^tor like one of the prophets.”

^16uBut when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!” ¹⁷For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. ¹⁸Because John had said to Herod, ^v“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

¹⁹Therefore Herodias ⁴held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; ²⁰for Herod ^wfeared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he ⁵did many things, and heard him gladly.

^21xThen an opportune day came when Herod ^yon his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. ²²And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” ²³He also swore to her, ^z“Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

²⁴So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?”

And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!”

²⁵Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

^26aAnd the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. ²⁷Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, ²⁸brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. ²⁹When his disciples heard of it, they came and ^btook away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.