14 ¹ It was at that time that reports about Jesus reached the ears of Prince Herod. 'This is John the Baptist,' 14 ² he said to his attendants; 'John has been raised to life, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.'
14 ³ NOW HEROD had arrested John, put him in chains, and thrown him into prison, on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; 14 ⁴ for John had told him: 'You have no right to her.' 14 ⁵ Herod would have liked to put him to death, but he was afraid of the people, in whose eyes John was a prophet. 14 ⁶ But at his birthday celebrations the daughter of Herodias danced before the guests, and Herod was so delighted 14 ⁷ that he took an oath to give her anything she cared to ask. 14 ⁸ Prompted by her mother, she said, 'Give me here on a dish the head of John the Baptist.' 14 ⁹ The king was deeply distressed when he heard it; but out of regard for his oath and for his guests, he ordered the request to be granted, 14 ¹⁰ and had John beheaded in prison. 14 ¹¹ The head was brought in on a dish and given to the girl; and she carried it to her mother. 14 ¹² Then John's disciples came and took away the body, and buried it; and they went and told Jesus.