Mark 6:14-29

The Death of John the Baptist

14 1King Herod heard of it, for Jesus'[a] name had become known. Some[b] said, 2"John the Baptist[c] has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him."
15 3But others said, "He is Elijah." And others said, "He is 4a prophet, like one of the prophets of old."
16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised."
17 5For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and 6bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her.
18 7For John had been saying to Herod, 8"It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."
19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not,
20 for Herod 9feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he 10heard him gladly.
21 But an opportunity came when Herod 11on his birthday 12gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.
22 For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you."
23 And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, 13up to half of my kingdom."
24 And she went out and said to her mother, "For what should I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."
25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."
26 And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her.
27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's[d] head. He went and beheaded him in the prison
28 and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.
29 When his 14disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Cross References 14

  • 1. For ver. 14-29, see Matthew 14:1-12; Luke 9:7-9
  • 2. Mark 8:28; Matthew 16:14
  • 3. [See ver. 14 above]
  • 4. See Matthew 21:11
  • 5. Luke 3:19, 20
  • 6. Matthew 11:2; John 3:24
  • 7. [See ver. 17 above]
  • 8. Leviticus 18:16; Leviticus 20:21
  • 9. [Matthew 14:5; Matthew 21:26]
  • 10. Mark 12:37; [Mark 4:16]
  • 11. Genesis 40:20
  • 12. 1 Kings 3:15; Esther 1:3; Esther 2:18
  • 13. Esther 5:3; Esther 7:2
  • 14. See Matthew 9:14

Footnotes 4

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.