Mark 6:14-29

The Death of John the Baptist

14 q Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore r these powers are at work in him." 15 s Others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is 1 the Prophet, t or like one of the prophets." 16 u But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!" 17 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her. 18 Because John had said to Herod, v "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19 Therefore Herodias 2 held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; 20 for Herod w feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he 3 did many things, and heard him gladly.

21 x Then an opportune day came when Herod y on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22 And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you." 23 He also swore to her, z "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom." 24 So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!" 25 Immediately she came in 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 a And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and b took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 14:1 - 12
    At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus
    Mark 6:14 - 16
    Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.
    Luke 9:7 - 9
    Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead.
  2. Cross References
    Luke 19:37
    Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen.
  3. Cross References
    Matthew 16:14
    So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
    Mark 8:28
    So they answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.
    Luke 9:19
    So they answered and said, "John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.
  4. Cross References
    Matthew 21:11
    So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.
  5. Cross References
    Matthew 14:2
    And said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.
    Luke 3:19
    But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done.
  6. 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 an unclean thing. He has uncovered his brother's nakedness. They shall be childless.
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 14:5
    And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
    Matthew 21:26
    "But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet."
  8. Cross References
    Matthew 14:6
    But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.
  9. Cross References
    Genesis 40:20
    Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.
  10. Cross References
    Esther 5:3
    And the king said to her, "What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you - up to half the kingdom!
    Esther 5:6
    At the banquet of wine the king said to Esther, "What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!
    Esther 7:2
    And on the second day, at the banquet of wine, the king again said to Esther, "What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!
  11. Cross References
    Matthew 14:9
    And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.
  12. Cross References
    1 Kings 13:29
    And the prophet took up the corpse of the man of God, laid it on the donkey, and brought it back. So the old prophet came to the city to mourn, and to bury him.
    1 Kings 13:30
    Then he laid the corpse in his own tomb; and they mourned over him, saying, "Alas, my brother!
    Matthew 27:58 - 61
    This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.
    Acts 8:2
    And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.