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

¹ At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, ² and said unto his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen again from death, and therefore are such miracles wrought by him."

³ For Herod had taken John and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. ⁴ For John said unto him, "It is not lawful for thee to have her." ⁵ And when he would have put him to death, he feared the people, because they counted him as a prophet.

⁶ But when Herod's birthday was come, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. ⁷ Wherefore he promised with an oath, that he would give her whatsoever she would ask. ⁸ And she, being informed of her mother before, said, "Give me here John Baptist's head in a platter." ⁹ And the King sorrowed: nevertheless for his oath's sake, and for their sakes, which sat also at the table, he commanded it to be given her. ¹⁰ And sent and beheaded John in the prison, ¹¹ and his head was brought in a platter, and given to the damsel, and she brought it to her mother. ¹² And his disciples came, and took up his body, and buried it: And went and told Jesus.

¹⁴ And king Herod heard of him, for his name was spread abroad; And he said, "John Baptist is risen again from death, and therefore miracles are wrought by him." ¹⁵ Others said, "It is Elijah." And some said, "It is a prophet, or as one of the prophets."

¹⁶ But when Herod heard of him, he said, "It is John whom I beheaded, he is risen from death again." ¹⁷ For Herod himself had sent forth, and had taken John, and bound him and cast him into prison for Herodias' sake, which was his brother Philip's wife. For he had married her. ¹⁸ John said unto Herod, "It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife." ¹⁹ Herodias laid wait for him, and would have killed him, but she could not. ²⁰ For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man, and a holy, and gave him reverence; And when he heard him he did many things, and heard him gladly.

²¹ But when a convenient day was come: Herod on his birthday made a supper to the Lords, captains, and chief estates of Galilee. ²² And the daughter of the said Herodias came in and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat at board also. Then the king said unto the maiden, "Ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee." ²³ And he sware unto her, "Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, even unto the one half of my kingdom."

²⁴ And she went forth and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "John Baptist's head."

²⁵ And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, "I will, that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John Baptist."

²⁶ And the king was sorry. Yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat at supper also, he would not put her beside her purpose. ²⁷ And immediately the king sent the hangman and commanded his head to be brought in. ²⁸ And he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a charger and gave it to the maiden, and the maiden gave it to her mother. ²⁹ And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his body, and put it in a tomb.