The Death of John the Baptist

6:14 Now17 King Herod18 heard this, for Jesus’19 name had become known. Some20 were saying, “John the baptizer21 has been raised from the dead, and because of this, miraculous powers are at work in him.” 6:15 Others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets from the past.” 6:16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised!” 6:17 For Herod himself had sent men, arrested John, and bound him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod22 had married her. 6:18 For John had repeatedly told23 Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”24 6:19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But25 she could not 6:20 because Herod stood in awe of26 John and protected him, since he knew that John27 was a righteous and holy man. When Herod28 heard him, he was thoroughly baffled,29 and yet30 he liked to listen to John.31

6:21 But32 a suitable day33 came, when Herod gave a banquet on his birthday for his court officials, military commanders, and leaders of Galilee. 6:22 When his daughter Herodias34 came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.” 6:23 He swore to her,35 “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”36 6:24 So37 she went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” Her mother38 said, “The head of John the baptizer.”39 6:25 Immediately she hurried back to the king and made her request:40 “I want the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.” 6:26 Although it grieved the king deeply,41 he did not want to reject her request because of his oath and his guests. 6:27 So42 the king sent an executioner at once to bring John’s43 head, and he went and beheaded John in prison. 6:28 He brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 6:29 When John’s44 disciples heard this, they came and took his body and placed it in a tomb.