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Death of John the Baptist

King Herod also heard about Jesus because his name had become well-known. Some people said, ‘John the Baptist has been raised from the dead and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’

Others thought, ‘He is Elijah,’ and still others said, ‘He is a prophet like the prophets of the past.’ 

When Herod was told about this, he said:

“I had John beheaded; yet, he has been raised up!”

Herod was the one who had John arrested, had him bound and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. Herod had married her; 

and John had told him, ‘It is not right for you to live with your brother’s wife.’ 

So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she could not, 

because Herod respected John. He knew John to be an upright and holy man and kept him safe. And he liked listening to him, although he became very disturbed whenever he heard him.

Herodias had her chance on Herod’s birthday when he hosted a dinner for all the top government officials, military leaders, and the leaders of Galilee. 

On that occasion, Herodias’s daughter entered and danced, charming Herod and his guests. The king told the girl:

“Ask me for anything you want, and I will give it to you.”

And he even said with many oaths:

“I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.”

She then went out and asked her mother:

“What should I request?”

The mother replied:

“The head of John the Baptist.”

The girl hurried back to the king and made her request, saying:

“I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist here and now, on a platter.”

The king was very displeased, but he would not refuse in front of his guests because of his oaths. 

 So he sent one of the bodyguards with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded John in prison; 

then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother. 

When John’s disciples heard of this, they came and took his body and buried it.