Mark 6:14-29

The Death of John the Baptist

14 w King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' 1 name had become known. Some 2 said, x "John the Baptist 3 has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him." 15 x But others said, "He is Elijah." And others said, "He is y a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." 17 z For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and a bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. 18 z For John had been saying to Herod, b "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20 for Herod c feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he d heard him gladly.

21 But an opportunity came when Herod e on his birthday f gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you." 23 And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, g up to half of my kingdom." 24 And she went out and said to her mother, "For what should I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist." 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's 4 head. He went and beheaded him in the prison 28 and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his h disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

  1. Cross References
    Mark 6:14 - 29
    King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.
    Matthew 14:1 - 12
    At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus.
    Luke 9:7 - 9
    Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead.
  2. Cross References
    Mark 8:28
    And they told him, "John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.
    Matthew 16:14
    And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
  3. Cross References
    Mark 6:14 - 29
    King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.
    Matthew 14:1 - 12
    At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus.
    Luke 9:7 - 9
    Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead.
  4. Cross References
    Mark 6:14
    King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.
  5. Cross References
    Matthew 21:11
    And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.
  6. Cross References
    Luke 3:19 - 20
    But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done.
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 11:2
    Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples
    John 3:24
    (for John had not yet been put in prison).
  8. Cross References
    Mark 6:17
    For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her.
  9. Cross References
    Leviticus 18:16
    You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother's wife; it is your brother's nakedness.
    Leviticus 20:21
    If a man takes his brother's wife, it is impurity. He has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.
  10. Cross References
    Matthew 14:5
    And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet.
    Matthew 21:26
    But if we say, 'From man,' we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.
  11. Cross References
    Mark 12:37
    David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?" And the great throng heard him gladly.
    Mark 4:16
    And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy.
  12. Cross References
    Genesis 40:20
    On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants.
  13. Cross References
    1 Kings 3:15
    And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
    Esther 1:3
    In the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him.
    Esther 2:18
    Then the king gave a great feast for all his officials and servants; it was Esther's feast. He also granted a remission of taxes to the provinces and gave gifts with royal generosity.
  14. Cross References
    Esther 5:3
    And the king said to her, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.
    Esther 7:2
    And on the second day, as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king again said to Esther, "What is your wish, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.
  15. Cross References
    Matthew 9:14
    Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.