The Death of John the Baptist

14 At that time Herod the ruler heard reports about Jesus,^{(A) 2} and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” ³ For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,^{(B) 4} because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”^{(C) 5} Though Herod^[a] wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet.^{(D) 6} But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod ⁷ so much that he promised on oath to grant 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 The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given; ¹⁰ he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. ¹¹ His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who brought it to her mother. ¹² His disciples came and took the body and buried him; then they went and told Jesus.