Mark 6:14-29

21st Century King James Version

¹⁴ And King Herod heard of Him, for His name was spread abroad. And he said, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and therefore these mighty works show forth themselves in him.”

¹⁵ Others said, “It is Elijah,” and others said, “It is a prophet, or like one of the prophets.”

¹⁶ But when Herod heard of it, he said, “It is John, whom I beheaded; he is risen from the dead.”

¹⁷ For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and had bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her.

¹⁸ For John had said unto Herod, “It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.”

¹⁹ Therefore Herodias had an inward grudge against him and would have killed him, but she could not;

²⁰ for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and holy, and kept him safe. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

²¹ And when a convenient day had come, when Herod on his birthday gave a supper for his lords, high officers, and chief officials of Galilee,

²² and when the daughter of the said Herodias came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, “Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it to thee.”

²³ And he swore unto her, “Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it to thee, unto the half of my kingdom.”

²⁴ And she went forth and said unto her mother, “What shall I ask?” And Herodias said, “The head of John the Baptist.”

²⁵ And she came back straightway with haste unto the king and asked, saying, “I will that thou give me at once on a charger the head of John the Baptist.”

²⁶ And the king was exceedingly sorry, yet for his oath’s sake and for their sakes who sat with him, he would not reject her.

²⁷ And immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded John’s head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison,

²⁸ and brought his head on a charger and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother.

²⁹ And when John’s disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.