Matthew 14:1-12

Evangelical Heritage Version

Recalling the Death of John the Baptist

14 At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus. ² He said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist! He has risen from the dead! That is why these powers are working in him.” ³ For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. ⁴ John had been telling him, “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 him as a prophet. ⁶ But when it was Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced among them. This pleased Herod. ⁷ So he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. ⁸ Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

⁹ Although this saddened the king, because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that it be done. ¹⁰ He sent the order and had John beheaded in prison. ¹¹ His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. ¹² John’s disciples came, took the body, and buried it. Then they went and reported this to Jesus.