Mt 14:1-12

Herod’s Opinion of Jesus. 1^{* a} At that time Herod the tetrarch^{* b} heard of the reputation of Jesus^c 2and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”

The Death of John the Baptist. 3^d Now Herod had arrested John, bound [him], and put him in prison on account of Herodias,^* the wife of his brother Philip, 4^e for John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5^f Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. 6But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod 7so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. 8Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, 10and he had John beheaded in the prison. 11His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 12His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.