The Death of John the Baptist^(A)

¹⁴ King Herod heard of Him, for His name was spread publicly. He said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and therefore these miracles are at work in him.”

¹⁵ But others said, “He is Elijah.”

And yet others said, “He is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.”

¹⁶ But when Herod heard of it, he said, “It is John, whom I beheaded. He has been raised from the dead!”

¹⁷ Herod had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her. ¹⁸ For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” ¹⁹ So Herodias had a grudge against him and would have killed him, but she could not, ²⁰ for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, but heard him gladly.

²¹ But a convenient day came when Herod on his birthday prepared a ceremonial dinner for his lords and commanding officers and leading men of Galilee. ²² When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you desire, and I will give it to you.” ²³ And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”

²⁴ She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?”

She said, “The head of John the Baptist.”

²⁵ She came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter at once.”

²⁶ The king was extremely sorrowful. Yet for the sake of his oath and those who sat with him, he would not reject her. ²⁷ So the king immediately sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. He went and beheaded him in the prison, ²⁸ and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother. ²⁹ When his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

Herod’s Anxiety^(A)

⁷ Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him. And he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, ⁸ and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen. ⁹ But Herod said, “I have beheaded John. But who is this of whom I hear such things?” And he tried to see Him.