Matthew 14

¹At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus,

²and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.”

³For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.

⁴For John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

⁵When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

⁶But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod.

⁷Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask.

⁸She, being prompted by her mother, said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer.”

⁹The king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be given,

¹⁰and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.

¹¹His head was brought on a platter and given to the young lady; and she brought it to her mother.

¹²His disciples came, took the body, and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

¹³Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities.

¹⁴Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick.