Job 18:11-12
18:11 Terrors frighten him on all sides
and dog his every step.
18:12 Calamity is hungry for him,
and misfortune is ready at his side.
Psalms 73:19
73:19 How desolate they become in a mere moment!
Terrifying judgments make their demise complete!
Matthew 14:1-12
The Death of John the Baptist
14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard reports about Jesus,
14:2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead! And because of this, miraculous powers are at work in him.”
14:3 For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
14:4 because John had repeatedly told him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
14:5 Although Herod wanted to kill John, he feared the crowd because they accepted John as a prophet.
14:6 But on Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod,
14:7 so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.
14:8 Instructed by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.”
14:9 Although it grieved the king, because of his oath and the dinner guests he commanded it to be given.
14:10 So he sent and had John beheaded in the prison.
14:11 His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.
14:12 Then John’s disciples came and took the body and buried it and went and told Jesus.
Mark 6:14-28
The Death of John the Baptist
6:14 Now King Herod heard this, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead, and because of this, miraculous powers are at work in him.”
6:15 Others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets from the past.”
6:16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised!”
6:17 For Herod himself had sent men, arrested John, and bound him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her.
6:18 For John had repeatedly told Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
6:19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not
6:20 because Herod stood in awe of John and protected him, since he knew that John was a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard him, he was thoroughly baffled, and yet he liked to listen to John.
6:21 But a suitable day came, when Herod gave a banquet on his birthday for his court officials, military commanders, and leaders of Galilee.
6:22 When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.”
6:23 He swore to her, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
6:24 So she went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” Her mother said, “The head of John the baptizer.”
6:25 Immediately she hurried back to the king and made her request: “I want the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.”
6:26 Although it grieved the king deeply, he did not want to reject her request because of his oath and his guests.
6:27 So the king sent an executioner at once to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded John in prison.
6:28 He brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.