The Saints Gospel 63
The Death of John the Baptist
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Woven from Matthew 14:1–12 · Mark 6:14–29 · Luke 9:7–9
Herod the tetrarch heard what was happening, for Jesus’ name had become known. He was perplexed: some said John the Baptist had been raised from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and others that a prophet like one of the ancient prophets had arisen. Herod said to his attendants, “John, whom I beheaded—he has been raised! That is why mighty powers are at work in Him.” Yet he also asked, “Who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see Jesus.
For Herod himself had sent men to seize John and bind him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not. For Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, yet he listened to him gladly.
Though Herod wanted to kill John, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.
An opportune day came when Herod gave a dinner on his birthday for his dignitaries, commanders of thousands, and the leading men of Galilee. The daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, pleasing Herod and those reclining with him. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” He swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She said, “The head of John the baptizer.” Immediately she hurried in to the king and made her request, saying, “I want you to give me at once, on a platter, the head of John the Baptist.” The king became deeply grieved, but because of his oaths and those reclining at table, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent an executioner and ordered him to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard, they came and took his corpse and laid it in a tomb.
After burying John, his disciples went and reported to Jesus.
← 62 The Harvest and the Sending of the Twelve · The Saints Gospel: all scenes · 64 The Five Loaves and the Two Fish →
Saints Translation · The Saints Gospel · a harmony of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts 1 · words of Christ in red · working draft awaiting specialist review.