Herod Kills John the Baptist

14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist! He has been raised from the dead, and for this reason miraculous powers are at work in him.” For Herod, after[a] arresting John, bound him and put him[b] in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because John had been saying to him, “It is not permitted for you to have her.” And although he[c] wanted to kill him, he feared the crowd, because they looked upon him as a prophet.

But when[d] Herod’s birthday celebration took place, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst of them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. And coached by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter!” And although[e] the king was distressed, because of his oaths and his dinner guests[f] he commanded the request[g] to be granted. 10 And he sent orders[h] and[i] had John beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it[j] to her mother. 12 And his disciples came and[k] took away the corpse and buried it, and went and[l] told Jesus.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 14:3 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arresting”) which is understood as temporal
  2. Matthew 14:3 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  3. Matthew 14:5 Here “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“wanted”) which is understood as concessive
  4. Matthew 14:6 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“took place”) which is understood as temporal
  5. Matthew 14:9 Here “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was distressed”) which is understood as concessive
  6. Matthew 14:9 Literally “those reclining at table with”
  7. Matthew 14:9 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  8. Matthew 14:10 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  9. Matthew 14:10 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“sent”) has been translated as a finite verb
  10. Matthew 14:11 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  11. Matthew 14:12 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came”) has been translated as a finite verb
  12. Matthew 14:12 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went”) has been translated as a finite verb

The Death of John the Baptist

14 When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee,[a] heard about Jesus, he said to his advisers, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.”

For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.” Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.

But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. 10 So John was beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 12 Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:1 Greek Herod the tetrarch. Herod Antipas was a son of King Herod and was ruler over Galilee.