John’s Fate Recalled

14 (A)And King Herod heard about 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 about it, he kept saying, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen!”

17 For Herod himself had sent men 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 And (G)Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death, and could not do so; 20 for (H)Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he had been protecting him. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; and yet he [a]used to enjoy listening to him. 21 An opportune day came when Herod, on his birthday, (I)held a banquet for his nobles and military commanders, and the leading people (J)of Galilee; 22 and when the daughter of (K)Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and [b]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 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, because of his oaths and [c]his dinner guests, he was unwilling to refuse her. 27 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 When his disciples heard about this, they came and carried away his body, and laid it in a tomb.

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 6:20 Lit was hearing him gladly
  2. Mark 6:22 Lit those who reclined at the table with him
  3. Mark 6:26 Lit those reclining at the table

The Death of John the Baptist

14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’s[a] name had become known. Some were[b] saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”(A) 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”(B)

17 For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod[c] had married her. 18 For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”(C) 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed,[d] and yet he liked to listen to him.(D) 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee.(E) 22 When his daughter Herodias[e] came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests, and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” 23 And he swore[f] to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.”(F) 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” 25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 The king was deeply grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s[g] head. He went and beheaded him in the 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 heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

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Footnotes

  1. 6.14 Gk his
  2. 6.14 Other ancient authorities read He was
  3. 6.17 Gk he
  4. 6.20 Other ancient authorities read he did many things
  5. 6.22 Other ancient authorities read the daughter of Herodias herself
  6. 6.23 Other ancient authorities add solemnly
  7. 6.27 Gk his