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

¹ Just then Herod, the Tetrarch, heard of Jesus' fame, and said to his courtiers. ² "This man is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead. That is why miraculous powers are working through him."

³ For Herod had apprehended John, shackled him, and thrust him into prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, ⁴ because John kept telling him, "It is not right for you to have her." ⁵ And although he wished to kill John, he feared the people, for they considered John a prophet.

⁶ But when Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, ⁷ and so pleased Herod that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked for. ⁸ So, prompted by her mother, the girl said, "Give me at once, upon a dish, the head of John the Baptist." ⁹ The king was displeased because of this, but because of his oaths and his guests he ordered it to be given her. ¹⁰ He sent and beheaded John in prison; ¹¹ the head was brought on a dish, and given to the young girl, who took it to her mother. ¹² Then John's disciples went and removed his body, and came and told Jesus.

¹⁴ King Herod heard it, for the name of Jesus had become well known, People were saying, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and on that account these powers are working in him." ¹⁵ "He is Elijah," said others. And still others were saying, "He is a prophet, like one of the old prophets."

¹⁶ But when Herod heard, he said, "That John whom I beheaded has come back to life." ¹⁷ Now this Herod had sent and arrested John, and bound him in prison, for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. ¹⁸ For John had often told Herod, "It is not right for you to live with your brother's wife." ¹⁹ So Herodias hated him, and wished to put him to death; ²⁰ but she could not, for Herod was afraid of John because he knew that he was a just and holy man. So he kept him safe. When he listened to John he was much exercised, yet he found pleasure in listening to him.

²¹ Then came a convenient day, when Herod on his birthday held a feast for his lords and generals and the leading men of Galilee, ²² at which the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced. She charmed Herod and his guests. "Ask me whatever you want," said the king to the young girl, "and I will give it to you." ²³ He even swore to her that whatever she asked, he would give it to her, up to half his kingdom.

²⁴ So she came out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" "The head of John the Baptist," she replied.

²⁵ So she at once hurried in to the king and made her request, "I want you," she said, "to give me, without delay, the head of John the Baptist on a charger."

²⁶ Then the king was exceedingly sorry; yet on account of his oaths and his guests he was unwilling to disappoint her. ²⁷ So he sent at once a soldier of the guard with orders to bring his head. ²⁸ And he went and beheaded John in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young girl, and she gave it to her mother. ²⁹ When John's disciples heard of this, they came, and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.