13
They forced many demons out and put olive oil on many sick people and healed them.
14
King Herod heard about Jesus, because he was now well known. Some people said, "He is John the Baptist, who has risen from the dead. That is why he can work these miracles."
15
Others said, "He is Elijah." Other people said, "Jesus is a prophet, like the prophets who lived long ago."
16
When Herod heard this, he said, "I killed John by cutting off his head. Now he has risen from the dead!"
17
Herod himself had ordered his soldiers to arrest John and put him in prison in order to please his wife, Herodias. She had been the wife of Philip, Herod's brother, but then Herod had married her.
18
John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to be married to your brother's wife."
19
So Herodias hated John and wanted to kill him. But she couldn't,
20
because Herod was afraid of John and protected him. He knew John was a good and holy man. Also, though John's preaching always bothered him, he enjoyed listening to John.
21
Then the perfect time came for Herodias to cause John's death. On Herod's birthday, he gave a dinner party for the most important government leaders, the commanders of his army, and the most important people in Galilee.
22
When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and the people eating with him. So King Herod said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want, and I will give it to you."
23
He promised her, "Anything you ask for I will give to you -- up to half of my kingdom."