Matthew 14:1-12

International Children’s Bible

How John the Baptist Was Killed

14 At that time Herod, the ruler of Galilee, heard the reports about Jesus. ² So Herod said to his servants, “Jesus is really John the Baptist. He has risen from death. That is why he is able to do these miracles.”

³ Sometime before this, Herod had arrested John, tied him up, and put him into prison. Herod did this because of Herodias. Herodias was the wife of Philip, Herod’s brother. ⁴ Herod arrested John because he told Herod: “It is not right for you to have Herodias.” ⁵ Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people. They believed that John was a prophet.

⁶ On Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod and his guests. Herod was very pleased with her, ⁷ so he promised he would give her anything she wanted. ⁸ Herodias told her daughter what to ask for. So she said to Herod, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” ⁹ King Herod was very sad. But he had promised to give her anything she wanted, and the people eating with him had heard his promise. So Herod ordered that what she asked for be done. ¹⁰ He sent men to the prison to cut off John’s head. ¹¹ And the men brought John’s head on a platter and gave it to the girl. She took it to her mother, Herodias. ¹² John’s followers came and got his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what happened.