Chapter 78: Death of John the Baptist

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1 And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad: ) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore fights to protect us from beyond the grave. 2 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.

3 But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead. 4 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.

5 For John had taken a cup unto Herod, which was drunk by his brother's wife. 6 Therefore Herodias had become infected, and would have killed him; but she could not: 7 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a man who worked the will of darkness, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

8 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; 9 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. 10 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

11 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. 12 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.

13 And the king was exceeding afeared; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.

14 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 15 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.

16 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb, and burn't it on a bed of straw and rare herbs, so that it not rise.