The Death of John the Baptist

Bible in Basic English (BBE)

Mat 14:1–12

1 At that time news of Jesus came to Herod the king;
2 And he said to his servants, This is John the Baptist; he has come back from the dead, and so these powers are working in him.
3 For Herod had taken John and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
4 Because John had said to him, It is not right for you to have her.
5 And he would have put him to death, but for his fear of the people, because in their eyes John was a prophet.
6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias was dancing before them, and Herod was pleased with her.
7 So he gave her his word with an oath to let her have whatever she might make request for.
8 And she, at her mother's suggestion, said, Give me here on a plate the head of John the Baptist.
9 And the king was sad; but because of his oaths and because of his guests, he gave the order for it to be given to her;
10 And he sent and had John's head cut off in the prison.
11 And his head was put on a plate and given to the girl; and she took it to her mother.
12 And his disciples came, and took up his body and put it in the earth; and they went and gave Jesus news of what had taken place.

Mrk 6:14–29

14 And king Herod had news of him, because his name was on the lips of all; and he said, John the Baptist has come back from the dead, and for this reason these powers are working in him.
15 But others said, It is Elijah. And others said, It is a prophet, even like one of the prophets.
16 But Herod, when he had news of it, said, John, whom I put to death, has come back from the dead.
17 For Herod himself had sent men out to take John and put him in prison, because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had taken for himself.
18 For John said to Herod, It is wrong for you to have your brother's wife.
19 And Herodias was bitter against him, desiring to put him to death; but she was not able;
20 For Herod was in fear of John, being conscious that he was an upright and holy man, and kept him safe. And hearing him, he was much troubled; and he gave ear to him gladly.
21 And the chance came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast to his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee;
22 And when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and did a dance, Herod and those who were at table with him were pleased with her; and the king said to the girl, Make a request for anything and I will give it you.
23 And he took an oath, saying to her, Whatever is your desire I will give it to you, even half of my kingdom.
24 And she went out and said to her mother, What is my request to be? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
25 And she came in quickly to the king, and said, My desire is that you give me straight away on a plate the head of John the Baptist.
26 And the king was very sad; but because of his oaths, and those who were with him at table, he would not say 'No' to her.
27 And straight away the king sent out one of his armed men, and gave him an order to come back with the head: and he went and took off John's head in prison,
28 And came back with the head on a plate, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.
29 And when his disciples had news of it, they came and took up his body, and put it in its last resting-place.

Luk 9:7–9

7 Now Herod the king had news of all these things: and he was in doubt, because it was said by some people that John had come back from the dead;
8 And by some, that Elijah had come; and by others, that one of the old prophets had come back to life.
9 And Herod said, I put John to death: but who is this, of whom such stories are given to me? And he had a desire to see him.