Matthew 14:1–12

The Death of John the Baptist

¹⁴At that time Herod the ruler heard reports about Jesus,^{* 2}and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” ³For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,^{* 4}because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”^{* 5}Though Herod^u wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet.^{* 6}But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod ⁷so much that he promised on oath to grant her whatever she might ask. ⁸Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” ⁹The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given; ¹⁰he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. ¹¹His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who brought it to her mother. ¹²His disciples came and took the body and buried him; then they went and told Jesus.