30. Death of John the Baptist
17Herod had seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. 18For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” 19And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him, but she could not. 20For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him he was much perplexed and yet he heard him gladly.21But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his high officials, officers, and the leading men of Galilee. 22For when Herodias' 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 grant it 23even to half my kingdom.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me I will give you.”
24She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?”
And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.”
25And she hurried back at once to the king and asked, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
26And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oath and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guards and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother.
29When John's disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
(Mk. 6:17–29)
Mk. 6:17 Herod had seized / For Herod had sent and seized (RSV)
Mk. 6:21 his high officials, officers, and (NIV) / his courtiers and (RSV)
Mk. 6:23 even to half / even half (RSV)
Mk. 6:24 the Baptist. (KJV) / the baptizer. (RSV)
Mk. 6:25 And she hurried back at once to (Gspd) / And she came in immediately, with haste to (RSV)
Mk. 6:29 When John's disciples (NEB) / When the disciples (RSV) (135:10,12/1508; 144:9/1627)
