The Death of John the Baptist

Herod Is Perplexed by Jesus

Luke 9:7-9 

Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him; and he was very perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, ⁸ and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.

⁹ Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this, about whom I hear such things?” He sought to see him.

The Death of John the Baptist

Mark 6:14-29

King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, “John the Baptiser has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”

¹⁵ But others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets.”

¹⁶ But Herod, when he heard this, said, “This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.”

For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her. ¹⁸ For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

¹⁹ Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t, ²⁰ for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.

²¹ Then a convenient day came, that Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. ²² When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”

²³ He swore to her, “Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”

²⁴ She went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” She said, “The head of John the Baptiser.”

²⁵ She came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptiser on a platter.”

²⁶ The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths, and of his dinner guests, he didn’t wish to refuse her. ²⁷ Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison, ²⁸ and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother.

²⁹ When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

Matthew 14:1-12 

At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus, ² and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptiser. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.”

For Herod had laid hold of John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. ⁴ For John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

⁵ When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. ⁶ But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod. ⁷ Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask.

⁸ She, being prompted by her mother, said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptiser.”

⁹ The king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths, and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be given, ¹⁰ and he sent and beheaded John in the prison. ¹¹ His head was brought on a platter, and given to the young lady: and she brought it to her mother.

¹² His disciples came, and took the body, and buried it; and they went and told Jesus.