The Death of John the Baptist^(A)

14 At that time Herod the tetrarch,^[a] hearing about the fame of Jesus, ² told his servants, “This is John the Baptist! He has been raised from the dead, and that’s why these miracles are being done by him.” ³ Herod had arrested John, bound him with chains, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s^[b] wife.

⁴ John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” ⁵ Although Herod^[c] wanted to kill him, he was afraid of the crowd, since they regarded John^[d] as a prophet.

⁶ But when Herod’s birthday celebration was held, the daughter of Herodias danced before the guests.^[e] She pleased Herod ⁷ so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked for. ⁸ Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me, right here on a platter, the head of John the Baptist.” ⁹ Under pressure because of his promises and his assembled guests, the king ordered that it be done. ¹⁰ So he sent word^[f] and had John beheaded in prison. ¹¹ His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she took it to her mother. ¹² When John’s^[g] disciples came, they carried off the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

Herod Tries to See Jesus^(A)

⁷ Now Herod the tetrarch heard about everything that was happening. He was puzzled because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, ⁸ by others that Elijah had appeared, and by still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. ⁹ Herod said, “I beheaded John. But who is this man I’m hearing so much about?” So Herod^[a] kept trying to see Jesus.^[b]