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

14 At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus, and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.” For Herod had arrested John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask. She, being prompted by her mother, said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer.”

The king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be given, 10 and he sent and beheaded John in the prison. 11 His head was brought on a platter and given to the young lady; and she brought it to her mother. 12 His disciples came, took the body, and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

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