Matthew 14:1-12

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

The Death of John the Baptist

14 At that time Herod the ruler^[a] heard reports about Jesus; ² and he said to his servants, ‘This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ ³ For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,^{[b] 4} because John had been telling him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ ⁵ Though Herod^[c] wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet. ⁶ But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod ⁷ so much that he promised on oath to grant her whatever she might ask. ⁸ Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.’ ⁹ The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given; ¹⁰ he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. ¹¹ The head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who brought it to her mother. ¹² His disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went and told Jesus.