Matthew 14:1-13 ▼

1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus,

2 and said to his servants, |This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.|

3 For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.

4 For John had been saying to him, |It is not lawful for you to have her.|

5 Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.

6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before [them] and pleased Herod,

7 so [much] that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.

8 Having been prompted by her mother, she said, |Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.|

9 Although he was grieved, the king commanded [it] to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests.

10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison.

11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.

12 His disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

13 Now when Jesus heard [about John], He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard [of this], they followed Him on foot from the cities.