Herod Kills John the Baptist
14 And King Herod heard [it], because his name had become known. And they were saying, "John, the one who baptizes, has been raised from the dead, and because of this these miraculous powers are at work in him."
15
But others were saying, "He is Elijah," and others were saying, "[He is] a prophet like one of the prophets."
16
But [when] Herod heard [it], he said, "John whom I beheaded--this one has been raised!"
17
For Herod himself had sent [and] arrested John and bound him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of Philip his brother, because he had married her.
18
For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not permitted for you to have your brother's wife."
19
So Herodias held a grudge against him and was wanting to kill him, and was not able [to do so].
20
For Herod was afraid of John, [because he] knew him [to be] a righteous and holy man and protected him. And [when he] listened to him, he was greatly perplexed, and [yet] he listened to him gladly.
21
And a suitable day came when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers and military tribunes and the most prominent [men] of Galilee.
22
And [when] the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced and pleased Herod and {his dinner guests}, the king said to the girl, "Ask me [for] whatever you want, and I will give [it] to you."
23
And he swore to her, "Anything whatever you ask me for I will give you, up to half my kingdom!"
24
And she went out [and] said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" And she said, "The head of John the baptizer."
25
And she came in immediately with haste to the king [and] asked, saying, "I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately."
26
And [although he] was deeply grieved, the king, because of his oaths and {dinner guests}, did not want to refuse her.
27
And immediately the king sent an executioner [and] ordered [him] to bring his head. And he went [and] beheaded him in the prison.
28
And he brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.
29
And [when] his disciples heard [this], they came and took away his corpse and placed it in a tomb.