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Herod Thinks Jesus Is John the Baptizer(A)

14 King Herod heard about Jesus, because Jesus was now famous. Some people said, “He is John the Baptizer. He must have risen from death, and that is why he can do these miracles.”

15 Other people said, “He is Elijah.”

And others said, “He is a prophet. He is like the prophets who lived long ago.”

16 Herod heard these things about Jesus. He said, “I killed John by cutting off his head. Now he has been raised from death!”

How John the Baptizer Was Killed

17 Herod himself had ordered his soldiers to arrest John and put him in prison. Herod did this to please his wife Herodias. She had been married to Herod’s brother Philip, but then Herod married her. 18 John told Herod, “It is not right for you to be married to your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias hated John. She wanted him dead, but she was not able to persuade Herod to kill him. 20 Herod was afraid to kill John, because he knew that he was a good and holy man. So he protected him. He liked listening to John, although what John said left him with so many questions.

21 Then the right time came for Herodias to cause John’s death. It happened on Herod’s birthday. Herod gave a dinner party for the most important government leaders, the commanders of his army, and the most important people in Galilee. 22 The daughter of Herodias came to the party and danced. When she danced, Herod and the people eating with him were very pleased.

So King Herod said to the girl, “I will give you anything you want.” 23 He promised her, “Anything you ask for I will give to you—even half of my kingdom.”

24 The girl went to her mother and asked, “What should I ask King Herod to give me?”

Her mother answered, “Ask for the head of John the Baptizer.”

25 So right then the girl went back in to the king. She said to him, “Please give me the head of John the Baptizer. Bring it to me now on a plate.”

26 King Herod was very sad, but he didn’t want to break the promise he had made to her in front of his guests. 27 So he sent a soldier to cut off John’s head and bring it to him. The soldier went and cut off John’s head in the prison. 28 He brought the head back on a plate and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 John’s followers heard about what happened, so they came and got John’s body and put it in a tomb.

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John the Baptist Beheaded(A)(B)

14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying,[a] “John the Baptist(C) has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

15 Others said, “He is Elijah.”(D)

And still others claimed, “He is a prophet,(E) like one of the prophets of long ago.”(F)

16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”

17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison.(G) He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”(H) 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.(I) When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled[b]; yet he liked to listen to him.

21 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet(J) for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.(K) 22 When the daughter of[c] Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”(L)

24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. 29 On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 6:14 Some early manuscripts He was saying
  2. Mark 6:20 Some early manuscripts he did many things
  3. Mark 6:22 Some early manuscripts When his daughter

Herod Is Confused About Jesus(A)

Herod the ruler heard about all these things that were happening. He was confused because some people said, “John the Baptizer has risen from death.” Others said, “Elijah has come to us.” And some others said, “One of the prophets from long ago has risen from death.” Herod said, “I cut off John’s head. So who is this man I hear these things about?” Herod continued trying to see Jesus.

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Now Herod(A) the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John(B) had been raised from the dead,(C) others that Elijah had appeared,(D) and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life.(E) But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.(F)

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