Mark 6:14–29

The Death of John the Baptist

¹⁴King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’s^p name had become known. Some were^q saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” ¹⁵But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”^{* 16}But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”^*

¹⁷For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod^r had married her. ¹⁸For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”^{* 19}And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not, ²⁰for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed,^s and yet he liked to listen to him.^{* 21}But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee.^{* 22}When his daughter Herodias^t came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests, and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” ²³And he swore^u to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.”^{* 24}She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” ²⁵Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” ²⁶The king was deeply grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. ²⁷Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s^v head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, ²⁸brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. ²⁹When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.