Harmony of The Gospels: Topic 83

The Four Gospels arranged into a single narrative
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(83) The Death of John the Baptist

Matthew 14:1-12, Mark 6:14-29, Luke 9:7-9

      [A]Now at that time, King Herod, the tetrarch, heard about the fame of Jesus, and all that He was doing. For His name had become well known. But Herod was perplexed, because he heard some say that John the Baptist had risen from the dead. So he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead, and this is how these mighty works are done through him.”

      [B]But some were saying that Elijah had appeared. Others were saying, “This is a prophet, or like one of the prophets.” Still others were saying that one of the old prophets had risen again. [C]But Herod insisted, saying, “It is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead!”

      [D]“No, this can’t be,” Herod finally said. “For I have beheaded John. So who is this, of whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see Him.

      [E]Now Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested, bound, and put in prison. He did this for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For Herod had married her, [F]and John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

      [G]Because of this Herodias had a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she couldn’t without Herod’s approval. [H]Herod would have put him to death, but he feared the multitude; because they regarded him as a prophet. [I]Herod also feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man. He observed John and even liked to listen to him, and he did many things after hearing him.

      [J]Now a convenient day came when Herod, on his birthday, gave a feast for his lords and high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. [K]When Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of this Herodias came in and danced before them. She pleased Herod and those who sat with him, so the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”

      [L]Then he promised with an oath and swore to her: “Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you, up to half of my kingdom.”

      [M]She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.”

      [N]As instructed by her mother, she went straight to the king with haste, and said, “I want you to give me here and now the head of John the Baptist, on a platter.”

      [O]And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, for the sake of his oath and those who sat with him at the feast, he was unwilling to refuse her and commanded that it be given to her. [P]So the king immediately sent an executioner and commanded him to bring his head. And he went and beheaded John in the prison. [Q]Then he brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl; and the girl carried it to her mother and gave it to her.

      [R]When his disciples heard of this, they came and took away his body and buried it, laying his corpse in a tomb. Then they went and told Jesus.


(83) The Death of John the Baptist

Matthew 14:1-12, KJV

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. 3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. 5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. 6 But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. 7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. 8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. 9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. 10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. 11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.


(83) The Death of John the Baptist

Mark 6:14-29, KJV

14 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 mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. 15 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. 16 But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead. 17 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. 18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife. 19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: 20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. 21 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; 22 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. 23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. 24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. 25 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. 26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother. 29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.


(83) The Death of John the Baptist

Luke 9:7-9, KJV

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; 8 And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. 9 And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.


[A] Mt 14:1-2, Mk 6:14, Lk 9:7 [B] Mk 6:15, Lk 9:8 [C] Mk 6:16 [D] Lk 9:9 [E] Mt 14:3, Mk 6:17 [F] Mt 14:4, Mk 6:18 [G] Mk 6:19 [H] Mt 14:5 [I] Mk 6:20 [J] Mk 6:21 [K] Mt 14:6, Mk 6:22 [L] Mt 14:7, Mk 6:23 [M] Mk 6:24 [N] Mt 14:8, Mk 6:25 [O] Mt 14:9, Mk 6:26 [P] Mt 14:10, Mk 6:27 [Q] Mt 14:11, Mk 6:28 [R] Mt 14:12, Mk 6:29


Harmony of The Gospels: The Four Gospels arranged into a single narrative

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