Mark 6:17-28

Holman Christian Standard Bible

¹⁷ For^(A) Herod himself had given orders to arrest John and to chain^(B) him in prison on account of Herodias,^(C) his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married.^{(D) 18} John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful^(E) for you to have your brother’s wife!”^{(F) 19} So Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill^(G) him. But she could not, ²⁰ because Herod was in awe^(H) of^[a] John and was protecting him, knowing he was a righteous^(I) and holy^(J) man. When Herod heard him he would be very disturbed,^[b](K) yet would hear him gladly.^(L)

²¹ Now an opportune time came on his birthday, when Herod gave a banquet^(M) for his nobles,^(N) military commanders,^(O) and the leading men of Galilee.^{(P) 22} When Herodias’s own daughter^[c] came in and danced,^(Q) she pleased Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I’ll give it to you.” ²³ So he swore^(R) oaths^(S) to her: “Whatever you ask me I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”^(T)

²⁴ Then she went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?”

“John the Baptist’s^(U) head!” she said.

²⁵ Immediately she hurried to the king and said, “I want you to give me John the Baptist’s^(V) head on a platter^(W)—right now!”

²⁶ Though the king was deeply distressed,^(X) because of his oaths^(Y) and the guests^[d] he did not want to refuse^(Z) her. ²⁷ The king immediately sent for an executioner and commanded him to bring John’s head. So he went and beheaded him in prison, ²⁸ brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother.