Matthew 14:1-8 ▼

1 About that time Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

2 and he said to his courtiers, "This is John the Baptist: he has come back to life--and that is why these miraculous Powers are working in him."

3 For Herod had arrested John, and had put him in chains, and imprisoned him, for the sake of Herodias his brother Philip's wife,

4 because John had persistently said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."

5 And he would have liked to put him to death, but was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a Prophet.

6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before all the company, and so pleased Herod

7 that with an oath he promised to give her whatever she asked.

8 So she, instigated by her mother, said, "Give me here on a dish the head of John the Baptist."