Recalling John’s Death^(A)

14 At that time Herod, ruler of Galilee, heard the news about Jesus. ² He said to his officials, “This is John the Baptizer! He has come back to life. That’s why he has the power to perform these miracles.”

³ Herod had arrested John, tied him up, and put him in prison. Herod did this for Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. ⁴ John had been telling Herod, “It’s not right for you to be married to her.” ⁵ So Herod wanted to kill John. However, he was afraid of the people because they thought John was a prophet.

⁶ When Herod celebrated his birthday, Herodias’ daughter danced for his guests. Herod was so delighted with her that ⁷ he swore he would give her anything she wanted.

⁸ Urged by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.”

⁹ The king regretted his promise. But because of his oath and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted. ¹⁰ He had John’s head cut off in prison. ¹¹ So the head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.

¹² John’s disciples came for the body and buried it. Then they went to tell Jesus.

Recalling John’s Death^(A)

¹⁴ King Herod heard about Jesus, because Jesus’ name had become well-known. Some people were saying, “John the Baptizer has come back to life. That’s why he has the power to perform these miracles.” ¹⁵ Others said, “He is Elijah.” Still others said, “He is a prophet like one of the other prophets.” ¹⁶ But when Herod heard about it, he said, “I had John’s head cut off, and he has come back to life!”

¹⁷ Herod had sent men who had arrested John, tied him up, and put him in prison. Herod did that for Herodias, whom he had married. (She used to be his brother Philip’s wife.) ¹⁸ John had been telling Herod, “It’s not right for you to be married to your brother’s wife.”

¹⁹ So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she wasn’t allowed to do it ²⁰ because Herod was afraid of John. Herod knew that John was a fair and holy man, so he protected him. When he listened to John, he would become very disturbed, and yet he liked to listen to him.

²¹ An opportunity finally came on Herod’s birthday. Herod gave a dinner for his top officials, army officers, and the most important people of Galilee. ²² His daughter, that is, Herodias’ daughter, came in and danced. Herod and his guests were delighted with her. The king told the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” ²³ He swore an oath to her: “I’ll give you anything you ask for, up to half of my kingdom.”

²⁴ So she went out and asked her mother, “What should I ask for?”

Her mother said, “Ask for the head of John the Baptizer.”

²⁵ So the girl hurried back to the king with her request. She said, “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptizer on a platter at once.”

²⁶ The king deeply regretted his promise. But because of his oath and his guests, he didn’t want to refuse her. ²⁷ Immediately, the king sent a guard and ordered him to bring John’s head. The guard cut off John’s head in prison. ²⁸ Then he brought the head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.

²⁹ When John’s disciples heard about this, they came for his body and laid it in a tomb.