Mark 6:14-29

Revised Geneva Translation

¹⁴ Then King Herod heard of Him (for His Name was now well-known) and said, “John Baptist has risen again from the dead, and therefore great works are done by him.”

¹⁵ Others said, “It is Elijah,” and some said, “It is a Prophet like one of those Prophets.”

¹⁶ So when Herod heard it, he said, “It is John, whom I beheaded. He is risen from the dead.”

¹⁷ For Herod himself had taken John and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, who was his brother Philip’s wife. Because he had married her.

¹⁸ For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

¹⁹ Therefore Herodias conspired against him and would have killed him, but she could not.

²⁰ For Herod feared John (knowing that he was a just and holy man) and respected him. And when he heard him, he did so gladly.

²¹ But the opportunity came when Herod, on his birthday, made a banquet to his princes and captains and chief leaders of Galilee.

²² And the daughter of that same Herodias came in and danced, and pleased Herod, and those who sat at table together. And the King said to the maid, “Ask of me what you will and I will give it you.”

²³ And he swore to her, “Whatever you shall ask of me I will give it to you, even up to the half of my kingdom.”

²⁴ So she went forth and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “John Baptist’s head.”

²⁵ Then she quickly returned to the King and asked, saying, “I would that you should give me, even now, on a platter, the head of John Baptist.”

²⁶ Then the King was very sorry. Yet for his oath’s sake and for their sakes of those who sat at table with him, he would not refuse her.

²⁷ And immediately the king sent the hangman and gave charge that John Baptist’s head should be brought in. So, he went and beheaded him in the prison,

²⁸ And brought his head on a platter and gave it to the maid. And the maid gave it to her mother.

²⁹ And when his disciples heard it, they came and took up his body and put it in a tomb.