Single lesson
The Death of John the Baptist
Matthew 14:1–12; Mark 6:14–29; Luke 9:7–9
This lesson traces how John the Baptiser died, why Herod was troubled when he heard about Jesus, and how several people’s choices led to a sad outcome. Students will sequence the account and examine what the passage says about fear, pressure, truth and what is lawful.
Before you teach
Matthew and Mark explain why Herod connected Jesus with John the Baptiser. Luke adds that Herod was perplexed and wanted to see Jesus. The passage looks back to John’s arrest, his message to Herod, the birthday banquet, the request for John’s head, and the response of John’s disciples.
Students will be able to retell the sequence of the passage, identify at least three choices and outcomes in the text, and state what this passage shows about God’s moral standard from John’s words about what is lawful.
Welcome: What do people do under pressure?
5 minIntroduce the lesson by saying this account is sad and serious. Explain that the class will stay close to what the passage says. Ask students to listen for names, repeated ideas and choices. Write these headings where everyone can see them: Herod hears, John speaks, the banquet, the request, the aftermath.
Matthew 14:1, Mark 6:14, Luke 9:7
Read and explain: Why Herod connected Jesus with John
10 minRead Matthew 14:1-12, then add details from Mark 6:14-29 and Luke 9:7-9. Point out that Herod heard reports about Jesus and said John had risen. Others had different ideas. Mark and Luke show Herod’s troubled reaction by quoting him directly: he said he had beheaded John and was perplexed about Jesus.
Matthew 14:1, Matthew 14:2, Mark 6:14, Mark 6:15, Mark 6:16, Luke 9:7, Luke 9:8, Luke 9:9
Discuss the sequence: Arrest, warning and banquet
8 minWork through the middle of the account in order. John told Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Herod had John arrested and imprisoned. Matthew says Herod feared the crowd, while Mark says Herod feared John, knew he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. Then Herod made a birthday supper, and the daughter of Herodias danced.
Matthew 14:3, Matthew 14:4, Matthew 14:5, Mark 6:17, Mark 6:18, Mark 6:19, Mark 6:20, Mark 6:21, Mark 6:22
Make and respond: Sequence cards with choices and outcomes
10 minGive students blank cards to make a simple sequence set. They should draw or write six moments: Herod hears of Jesus, John speaks to Herod, John is imprisoned, Herod makes an oath, the request is made, John’s disciples bury him and tell Jesus. On the back of each card, students add one choice and one outcome named in the passage.
Matthew 14:2, Matthew 14:4, Matthew 14:7, Matthew 14:8, Matthew 14:9, Matthew 14:12
Closing: What this passage teaches about God and people
7 minLead a short summary. The passage shows John speaking plainly about what is lawful, so it presents a moral standard in John’s words. It also shows Herod acting from fear of others and concern for his oaths and guests. Herod was grieved and exceedingly sorry, yet he still commanded John’s death because of his oaths and guests. Finish by asking students to name one truth they learned about people from the passage and one action taken by John or his disciples.
Matthew 14:4, Matthew 14:9, Mark 6:18, Mark 6:20, Mark 6:26, Mark 6:27, Mark 6:29
Questions to explore
Why did Herod think Jesus might be John the Baptiser risen from the dead?
Look at Herod’s own words after he heard reports about Jesus, and compare them with the other opinions people were saying.
Matthew 14:1, Matthew 14:2, Mark 6:14, Mark 6:16, Luke 9:7, Luke 9:9
What had John said to Herod, and what does that show in this passage about God’s standard?
Read John’s exact words about what is lawful, then notice that Herod had arrested and imprisoned John in connection with this matter.
Matthew 14:3, Matthew 14:4, Mark 6:17, Mark 6:18
Which pressures influenced Herod’s final decision at the banquet?
Notice the text mentions his oath, the dinner guests, and his sorrow, then observe what he still commanded.
Matthew 14:7, Matthew 14:9, Mark 6:23, Mark 6:26, Mark 6:27
Make, think or respond
Sequence Cards: Choices and Outcomes
What you’ll need
- Blank paper or card
- Pencils or pens
- Scissors
- Markers
Try it together
- Fold or cut paper into six cards.
- On the front of each card, write or draw one key moment from the passage in order.
- On the back of each card, write one choice made by a person in that moment and the outcome that followed.
- Place the cards in order and explain the sequence to a partner from the verses.
- As a class, compare which choices led to sad consequences and which actions match the passage’s concern for what is lawful or for caring for John’s body.
This activity helps students follow the order of the account and connect choices in the passage with the outcomes the text reports.
Adapt for your group
- For younger or less confident students, give six pre-written event titles to copy in order and ask them to add just one short phrase for each outcome.
- For older students, ask them to sort details under headings such as fear, truth, pressure and response, using only words or short phrases drawn from the passage.
An optional closing prayer
“God, please help us to speak truthfully, to resist wrong pressure, and to act with courage and care. Help us learn from this sad passage and honour you in our choices. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Matthew 14
1 At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus,
2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.”
3 For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
4 For John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
5 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 came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod.
7 Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask.
8 She, being prompted by her mother, said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer.”
9 The king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be given,
10 and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.
11 His head was brought on a platter and given to the young lady; and she brought it to her mother.
12 His disciples came, took the body, and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
Mark 6
14 King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, “John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”
15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets.”
16 But Herod, when he heard this, said, “This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.”
17 For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her.
18 For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
19 Herodias set herself against him and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t,
20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.
21 Then a convenient day came when Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.
22 When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”
23 He swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”
24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” She said, “The head of John the Baptizer.”
25 She came in immediately with haste to the king and requested, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.”
26 The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths and of his dinner guests, he didn’t wish to refuse her.
27 Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard and commanded to bring John’s head; and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother.
29 When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.
Luke 9
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him; and he was very perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead,
8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.
9 Herod said, “I beheaded John, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” He sought to see him.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.