Matthew 14:1-12

Contemporary English Version

The Death of John the Baptist

(Mark 6.14-29; Luke 9.7-9)

14 About this time Herod the ruler^[a] heard the news about Jesus ² and told his officials, “This is John the Baptist! He has come back from death, and that's why he has the power to work these miracles.”

^3-4 (A) Herod had earlier arrested John and had him chained and put in prison. He did this because John had told him, “It isn't right for you to take Herodias, the wife of your brother Philip.” ⁵ Herod wanted to kill John. But the people thought John was a prophet, and Herod was afraid of what they might do.

⁶ When Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests. She pleased Herod ⁷ so much he swore to give her whatever she wanted. ⁸ But the girl's mother told her to say, “Here on a serving plate I want the head of John the Baptist!”

⁹ Herod was sorry for what he had said. But he did not want to break the promise he had made in front of his guests. So he ordered a guard ¹⁰ to go to the prison and cut off John's head. ¹¹ It was taken on a serving plate to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. ¹² John's followers took his body and buried it. Then they told Jesus what had happened.