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The Death of John the Baptist

14 (A)And King Herod heard it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, “(B)John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him.” 15 But others were saying, “He is (C)Elijah.” And others were saying, “He is (D)a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard it, he kept saying, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen!”

17 For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of (E)Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “(F)It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 (G)Now Herodias was holding a grudge against him and was wanting to put him to death and was not able; 20 for (H)Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he was keeping him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; [a]but he [b]used to enjoy listening to him. 21 And a strategic day came when Herod on his birthday (I)gave a banquet for his great men and [c]military commanders and the leading men (J)of Galilee; 22 and when the daughter of (K)Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and [d]his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.” 23 And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to (L)half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 And immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And although the king was very sorry, yet because of his oaths and because of [e]his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And 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 And when his disciples heard this, they came and took away his body and laid it in a tomb.

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 6:20 Lit and
  2. Mark 6:20 Lit was hearing him gladly
  3. Mark 6:21 Military leader over 1,000 soldiers
  4. Mark 6:22 Lit those who reclined at the table with him
  5. Mark 6:26 Lit those reclining at the table

14 And king Herod heard thereof; for his name had become known: and [a]he said, John the Baptizer is risen from the dead, and therefore do these powers work in him. 15 But others said, It is Elijah. And others said, It is a prophet, even as one of the prophets. 16 But Herod, when he heard thereof, said, John, whom I beheaded, he is risen. 17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon 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 unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife. 19 And Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him; and she could not; 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. And when he heard him, he [b]was much perplexed; and he heard him gladly. 21 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the [c]high captains, and the chief men of Galilee; 22 and when [d]the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, [e]she pleased Herod and them that sat at meat with him; and the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. 23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. 24 And she went out, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptizer. 25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou forthwith give me on a platter the head of John the Baptist. 26 And the king was exceeding sorry; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat, he would not reject her. 27 And straightway the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring his head: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother. 29 And when his disciples heard thereof, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 6:14 Some ancient authorities read they.
  2. Mark 6:20 Many ancient authorities read did many things.
  3. Mark 6:21 Or, military tribunes. Greek chiliarchs.
  4. Mark 6:22 Some ancient authorities read his daughter Herodias.
  5. Mark 6:22 Or, it