Matthew 14:1-12 - Herod Kills John The Baptist

¹ At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus. ² “This is John the Baptist!” he told his servants. “He has been raised from the dead, and that’s why supernatural powers are at work in him.”

³ For Herod had arrested John, chained him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, ⁴ since John had been telling him, “It’s not lawful for you to have her!” ⁵ Though he wanted to kill him, he feared the crowd, since they regarded him as a prophet.

⁶ But when Herod’s birthday celebration came, Herodias’s daughter danced before them and pleased Herod. ⁷ So he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. ⁸ And prompted by her mother, she answered, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter!” ⁹ Although the king regretted it, he commanded that it be granted because of his oaths and his guests. ¹⁰ So he sent orders and had John beheaded in the prison. ¹¹ His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. ¹² Then his disciples came, removed the corpse, buried it, and went and reported to Jesus.

¹⁴ King Herod heard of this, because Jesus’ name had become well known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that’s why supernatural powers are at work in him.” ¹⁵ But others said, “He’s Elijah.” Still others said, “He’s a prophet—like one of the prophets.”

¹⁶ When Herod heard of it, he said, “John, the one I beheaded, has been raised!” ¹⁷ For Herod himself had given orders to arrest John and to chain him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. ¹⁸ John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!” ¹⁹ So Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not, ²⁰ because Herod was in awe of John and was protecting him, knowing he was a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard him he would be very disturbed, yet would hear him gladly.

²¹ Now an opportune time came on his birthday, when Herod gave a banquet for his nobles, military commanders, and the leading men of Galilee. ²² When Herodias’s own daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I’ll give it to you.” ²³ So he swore oaths to her: “Whatever you ask me I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

²⁴ Then she went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?”

“John the Baptist’s head!” she said.

²⁵ Immediately she hurried to the king and said, “I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head on a platter—right now!”

²⁶ Though the king was deeply distressed, because of his oaths and the guests he did not want to refuse her. ²⁷ The king immediately sent for an executioner and commanded him to bring John’s head. So he went and beheaded him in prison, ²⁸ brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. ²⁹ When his disciples heard about it, they came and removed his corpse and placed it in a tomb.