Herod and Jesus. The End of John the Baptist (Mark 6:14-29 *, Luke 9:7-9, cf. Luke 3:18-20). Mt.'s narrative is much briefer than Mk.'s, and he goes astray. Thus in Matthew 14:5 he makes Herod himself (rather than Herodias) wish to kill John, though in Matthew 14:9 he is grieved at it. But he adds the information that the disciples of John told Jesus of their master's fate. He makes this the reason of Jesus-' retirement, which in Mk. is due to the disciples-' need of rest after their tour. Mt. is wrong, for the death of John had happened some time earlier, yet there is underlying truth, for Jesus Himself feared Herod. Matthew 14:5 (see above) may indeed originally have referred to Jesus (cf. Luke 13:31); it does not go well with Matthew 14:6-10.
Matthew 14:1-12
1 At that time Herod the tetrarcha 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.