Matthew 14:1-12
New Testament for Everyone
The death of John the Baptist
14 At that time Herod the Tetrarch heard reports about Jesus.
2 “This fellow must be John the Baptist,” he said to his servants. “He’s been raised from the dead! That’s why these powers are at work in him.”
3 This is what had happened. Herod had seized John, tied him up and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4 John had been telling him that it wasn’t right for him to have her. 5 Herod wanted to kill him, but he was afraid of the crowd, because they reckoned that John was a prophet.
6 When Herod’s birthday came around, the daughter of Herodias danced for the assembled company, and delighted Herod. 7 So he swore a great oath that he would give her whatever she requested. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me—here, on a platter—the head of John the Baptizer!” 9 The king was sorry; but because of his oaths, and his guests, he gave orders for it to be given to her. 10 He sent to the prison and had John beheaded. 11 His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she passed it on to her mother. 12 His disciples came and took away the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
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