141And KingHerodheard of it, for His name had becomewellknown; and people were saying, "2John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is whythesemiraculouspowers are at work in Him."
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But others were saying, "He is 3Elijah." And others were saying, "He is 4a prophet, likeone of the prophets of old."
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But when Herodheard of it, he kept saying, "John, whom I beheaded, has risen!"
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For Herodhimself had sent and had Johnarrested and bound in prison on account of 5Herodias, the wife of his brotherPhilip, because he had married her.
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For John had been saying to Herod, "6It is not lawful for you to have your brother'swife."
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7Herodiashad a grudgeagainst him and wanted to put him to death and could not do so;
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for 8Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holyman, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was veryperplexed; but he used to enjoylistening to him.
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A strategicdaycamewhenHerod on his birthday9gave a banquet for his lords and militarycommanders and the leadingmen10of Galilee;
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and when the daughter of 11Herodiasherselfcame in and danced, she pleasedHerod and his dinnerguests; and the kingsaid to the girl, "Ask me for whatever* you want and I will give it to you."
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And he swore to her, "Whatever* you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to 12half of my kingdom."
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And she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."
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Immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."
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And although the king was verysorry, yet because of his oaths and because of his dinnerguests, he was unwilling* to refuse her.
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Immediately the kingsent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and had him beheaded in the prison,
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and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girlgave it to her mother.
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When his disciplesheard about this, they came and tookaway his body and laid it in a tomb.