Matthew 14:3-12
King James Version
3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
6 But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
Read full chapter
Matthew 14:3-12
English Standard Version
3 For (A)Herod had seized John and bound him and (B)put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,[a] 4 because John had been saying to him, (C)“It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And though he wanted to put him to death, (D)he feared the people, because they held him to be (E)a prophet. 6 But when Herod's (F)birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, 7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And (G)his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 14:3 Some manuscripts his brother's wife
Matthew 14:3-12
New International Version
3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison(A) because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,(B) 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”(C) 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.(D)
6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded(E) in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it.(F) Then they went and told Jesus.
Matthew 14:3-12
New American Standard Bible
3 For when (A)Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him (B)in prison because of (C)Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4 For John had been saying to him, “(D)It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded [a]John as (E)a prophet.
6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of (F)Herodias danced [b]before them and pleased (G)Herod, 7 so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 And after being prompted by her mother, she *said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9 And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths and [c]his dinner guests. 10 He sent word and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 [d]John’s disciples came and took away the body and buried [e]it; and they went and reported to Jesus.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 14:5 Lit him
- Matthew 14:6 Lit in the midst
- Matthew 14:9 Lit those who reclined at the table with him
- Matthew 14:12 Lit his
- Matthew 14:12 Lit him
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.


