John the Baptist Beheaded

¹⁴ King^(A) Herod^(B) heard of this, because Jesus’ name^(C) had become well known. Some^[a] said, “John the Baptist^(D) has been raised from the dead,^(E) and that’s why supernatural powers^(F) are at work^(G) in him.” ¹⁵ But others said, “He’s Elijah.”^(H) Still others said, “He’s a prophet^[b]—like one of the prophets.”^(I)

¹⁶ When Herod^(J) heard of it, he said, “John,^(K) the one I beheaded, has been raised!”^{(L) 17} For^(M) Herod himself had given orders to arrest John and to chain^(N) him in prison on account of Herodias,^(O) his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married.^{(P) 18} John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful^(Q) for you to have your brother’s wife!”^{(R) 19} So Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill^(S) him. But she could not, ²⁰ because Herod was in awe^(T) of^[c] John and was protecting him, knowing he was a righteous^(U) and holy^(V) man. When Herod heard him he would be very disturbed,^[d](W) yet would hear him gladly.^(X)

²¹ Now an opportune time came on his birthday, when Herod gave a banquet^(Y) for his nobles,^(Z) military commanders,^(AA) and the leading men of Galilee.^{(AB) 22} When Herodias’s own daughter^[e] came in and danced,^(AC) 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^(AD) oaths^(AE) to her: “Whatever you ask me I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”^(AF)

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

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

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

²⁶ Though the king was deeply distressed,^(AJ) because of his oaths^(AK) and the guests^[f] he did not want to refuse^(AL) 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. ²⁹ When his disciples^[g](AM) heard about it, they came and removed his corpse and placed it in a tomb.^(AN)

Herod’s Desire to See Jesus

⁷ Herod the tetrarch^(A) heard about everything that was going on.^(B) He was perplexed, because some said that John had been raised from the dead, ⁸ some that Elijah had appeared,^(C) and others that one of the ancient prophets had risen.^{(D) 9} “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this I hear such things about?” And he wanted to see Him.^(E)