The Death of John the Baptist
He told a king the truth
This story tells how John the Baptist was killed.
Two things you can tap
- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Story
What happened?
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
King Herod had put John the Baptist in prison because John told him it was wrong to marry his brother's wife. Herodias held a grudge against John, and at Herod's birthday party, after her daughter danced, Herod promised the girl anything she asked. At her mother's urging she asked for John's death, and Herod, unwilling to break his promise in front of his guests, had John killed; his disciples came and buried him.
Where it is in the Bible: Mark 6:14-29
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- John the Baptist: The prophet who prepared the way for Jesus and baptized him.
- King Herod: Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee under Rome. He is a son of the Herod who ruled when Jesus was born.
- Herodias: Herod's wife. She had been married to Herod's brother Philip.
- Herodias's daughter: A girl who dances at Herod's party.
- John's disciples: John's followers.
Setting
- Herod's palace, and the prison where John is held.
When
- About 2,000 years ago, while Jesus was teaching in Galilee.
Before the Story
John told people to turn back to God. He told everyone the truth, even powerful people (1:4-5).
John said someone greater was coming. That someone was Jesus (1:7-8).
Jesus had just sent out his twelve apostles. They were preaching and healing in village after village (6:7-13). Jesus's name was becoming famous everywhere.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Who is Jesus? | 6:14-16 | Herod thinks John has come back from the dead |
| 2. John speaks the truth | 6:17-20 | Why John was in prison |
| 3. A birthday party | 6:21-25 | Herod makes a foolish promise |
| 4. A terrible order | 6:26-29 | John is killed, and his disciples bury him |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 4Who Is Jesus?
King Herod heard about Jesus. Everyone was talking about him.
Some people said John the Baptist had come back from the dead. Others said Jesus was Elijah, or another prophet.
But Herod said, "John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead!" (6:16).
Herod was afraid. He remembered what he had done to John.
Scene 2 of 4John Speaks the Truth
Here is what had happened.
Herod had married Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.
John told Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife!" (6:18). It was wrong under God's law.
So Herod had John arrested and locked in prison.
Herodias held a grudge against John. She wanted him dead. But Herod protected John.
Herod knew John was a good and holy man. He was confused by what John said, but he liked to listen to him.
Scene 3 of 4A Birthday Party
Then came Herod's birthday. He threw a big party for important officials, army commanders, and leaders of Galilee.
Herodias's daughter came in and danced. Herod and his guests were pleased.
Herod made a foolish promise. "Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom!" (6:23).
The girl went out and asked her mother what to ask for.
Herodias saw her chance. She told her daughter to ask for John's death.
The girl hurried back to the king and asked for it.
Scene 4 of 4A Terrible Order
Herod was very sad.
But he had made a promise in front of all his guests. He didn't want to look weak, so he didn't refuse.
He sent an executioner to the prison, and John was killed.
When John's disciples heard, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead!" (6:16) | Herod's guilty conscience troubled him. |
| "It is not lawful for you" (6:18) | John told the truth, even to a king. |
| "Herod feared John" (6:20) | Herod knew John was a holy man. |
| "Up to half my kingdom" (6:23) | Herod made a showy promise to impress his guests. |
| "Because of his oaths and his guests" (6:26) | Herod cared more about looking strong than doing right. |
| "Placed it in a tomb" (6:29) | John's friends honored him to the end. |
Back Then
Herod Antipas was not really a king. Rome called him a tetrarch, a ruler of part of a country. People called him king anyway.
The historian Josephus also wrote about John's death. He said Herod killed John at the fortress of Machaerus, because he feared John's influence over the people.
Herodias's daughter was named Salome. Mark doesn't give her name, but Josephus does.
Literal Reader Alert
Why did God let John die? The Bible doesn't fully answer that. John finished the work God gave him: he prepared the way for Jesus. Jesus called him the greatest of the prophets (Matthew 11:11). Death was not the end for John.
Do you have to keep a promise to do something wrong? No. Herod should have broken a foolish promise rather than do evil. If anyone ever makes you promise to keep a secret that is wrong or unsafe, tell a trusted adult.
Was the girl to blame? She went along with her mother's plan. Mark puts the most blame on Herodias for planning it and on Herod for giving the order.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Herod | Afraid | He thought John had come back (6:16) |
| Herodias | Bitter | She held a grudge against John (6:19) |
| Herod | Sad | He didn't want to kill John (6:26) |
| John's disciples | Grieving | Their teacher had been killed (6:29) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What part of this story stays with you? Tap one.
John was brave
John told the truth to a king. God can make you brave too.
It's unfair
It was unfair. Jesus was killed unfairly too, and God raised him.
Peer pressure
Herod gave in to save face. You can say no, even in front of people.
I'm sad
That's okay. John's friends were sad too. Jesus knows grief.
You Might Have Heard
"If you follow God, nothing bad will happen to you."
What's true: God is with his people always.
What the story is mainly about: John was faithful, and he still suffered and died. Following God doesn't mean nothing bad happens. It means God holds you, and death is not the end. Jesus would suffer too, and rise.
Where Jesus is: Teaching nearby. Soon he would walk the same road John walked: arrested, killed, and laid in a tomb. Then he would rise.
Good News
Herod thought John's death was the end. It wasn't.
"Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist" (Matthew 11:11).
John prepared the way for Jesus. Jesus died too, and rose again. Because he lives, John lives, and everyone who trusts Jesus will live.
John was faithful to the end. Jesus, the one John pointed to, defeated death for him and for us.
Big Idea
John the Baptist told a king the truth, and was killed for it. Death was not the end, because Jesus, the one John pointed to, rose again.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther praised John for telling the truth to a ruler. He taught that pastors must speak God's word plainly, even to powerful people, and leave the rest to God.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year B, it reads Mark 6:14-29 in July (Lectionary 15).
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man.
How did that feel?
You finished The Death of John the Baptist.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 15 Year BGospel, Mark 6:14–29
For a newsletter or sermon notes
The Death of John the Baptist, explained in plain words. John tells King Herod the truth. Herod makes a foolish promise at his birthday party. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/the-death-of-john-the-baptist/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church