Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

14 At this time Herod the ruler heard of Jesus.

² He said to his servants, `This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from death. That is why he is able to do such great work.'

³ Herod had taken John and tied him up. He put him in prison. He did this because of Herodias. She was the wife of his brother Philip.

⁴ John had said to Herod, `It is not right for you to have her for your wife.'

⁵ Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people. They thought John was a prophet, a man of God.

⁶ On Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced for the people who were there. She pleased Herod.

⁷ He was so pleased that he promised to give her anything she asked for.

⁸ The girl's mother told her what to ask for. So she said, `Give me here, on a plate, the head of John the Baptizer.'

⁹ The king was very sorry to do this. But he had made a promise. And all the people who were there had heard him promise. So he gave orders to do it.

¹⁰ He sent someone to the prison to cut off John's head.

¹¹ John's head was brought on a plate. It was given to the girl. And she took it to her mother.

¹² Then John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. They went and told Jesus.