Matthew 14:12
New International Version
John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

New Living Translation
Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened.

English Standard Version
And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

Berean Standard Bible
Then John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. And they went and informed Jesus.

Berean Literal Bible
And his disciples having come, took the body and buried it, and having come, they told Jesus.

King James Bible
And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

New King James Version
Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

New American Standard Bible
John’s disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

NASB 1995
His disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

NASB 1977
And his disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

Legacy Standard Bible
And his disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

Amplified Bible
And John’s disciples came and took away the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

Christian Standard Bible
Then his disciples came, removed the corpse, buried it, and went and reported to Jesus.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then his disciples came, removed the corpse, buried it, and went and reported to Jesus.

American Standard Version
And his disciples came, and took up the corpse, and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

Contemporary English Version
John's followers took his body and buried it. Then they told Jesus what had happened.

English Revised Version
And his disciples came, and took up the corpse, and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
John's disciples came for the body and buried it. Then they went to tell Jesus.

Good News Translation
John's disciples came, carried away his body, and buried it; then they went and told Jesus.

International Standard Version
When John's disciples came, they carried off the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

Majority Standard Bible
Then John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. And they went and informed Jesus.

NET Bible
Then John's disciples came and took the body and buried it and went and told Jesus.

New Heart English Bible
Then his disciples came, and took the dead body, and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

Webster's Bible Translation
And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

Weymouth New Testament
Then John's disciples went and removed the body and buried it, and came and informed Jesus.

World English Bible
His disciples came, took the body, and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And his disciples having come, took up the body, and buried it, and having come, they told Jesus,

Berean Literal Bible
And his disciples having come, took the body and buried it, and having come, they told Jesus.

Young's Literal Translation
And his disciples having come, took up the body, and buried it, and having come, they told Jesus,

Smith's Literal Translation
And his disciples having come near, took away the body, and interred it; and having come, they announced to Jesus.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And his disciples came and took the body, and buried it, and came and told Jesus.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And his disciples approached and took the body, and they buried it. And arriving, they reported it to Jesus.

New American Bible
His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

New Revised Standard Version
His disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went and told Jesus.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then his disciples came and took up his body and buried it, and they came and informed Jesus.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And his disciples came, took his corpse, performed a burial and came and informed Yeshua.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And his disciples came and took away the body, and buried it; and went and told Jesus.

Godbey New Testament
And His disciples, having come, took the body, and buried it; and having come they proclaimed it to Jesus.

Haweis New Testament
And his disciples came and took the body, and buried it, and they came and told Jesus.

Mace New Testament
upon which, his disciples came to take away the body, and having buried it, they went to tell Jesus what had happened.

Weymouth New Testament
Then John's disciples went and removed the body and buried it, and came and informed Jesus.

Worrell New Testament
And his disciples, coming, took up the corpse, and buried it; and, coming, they told Jesus;

Worsley New Testament
and his disciples came and took up the body and buried it, and then went and told Jesus.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Beheading of John
11John’s head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12Then John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. And they went and informed Jesus. 13When Jesus heard about John, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. But the crowds found out about it and followed Him on foot from the towns.…

Cross References
Mark 6:29
When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and placed it in a tomb.

Matthew 11:2-6
Meanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ, and he sent his disciples / to ask Him, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?” / Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ...

Luke 7:18-23
Then John’s disciples informed him about all these things. / So John called two of his disciples and sent them to ask the Lord, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?” / When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?’” ...

John 3:25-30
Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the issue of ceremonial washing. / So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Look, Rabbi, the One who was with you beyond the Jordan, the One you testified about—He is baptizing, and everyone is going to Him.” / John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. ...

Matthew 9:14-15
Then John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?” / Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while He is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

John 1:19-28
And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” / He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.” / “Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” ...

Matthew 17:12-13
But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” / Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

Luke 9:7-9
When Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, he was perplexed. For some were saying that John had risen from the dead, / others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that a prophet of old had arisen. / “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this man I hear such things about?” And he kept trying to see Jesus.

Acts 13:24-25
Before the arrival of Jesus, John preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. / As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But there is One coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’

Matthew 4:12
When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee.

John 5:33-35
You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. / Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may be saved. / John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light.

Matthew 3:1-6
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea / and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” / This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” ...

Luke 3:15-20
The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John could be the Christ. / John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. / His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” ...

Isaiah 40:3-5
A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. / Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain. / And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Malachi 3:1
“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.


Treasury of Scripture

And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

took.

Matthew 27:58-61
He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered…

Acts 8:2
And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

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Body Buried Corpse Disciples Earth Informed Jesus John's News Removed Reported Word
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Matthew 14
1. Herod's opinion of Jesus.
3. Wherefore John Baptist was beheaded.
13. Jesus departs into a solitary place,
15. where he feeds five thousand men with five loves and two fishes.
22. He walks on the sea to his disciples;
34. and landing at Gennesaret,
35. heals the sick who touch of the hem of his garment.














Then John's disciples
This phrase refers to the followers of John the Baptist, a significant prophetic figure who prepared the way for Jesus. The Greek word for "disciples" is μαθηταί (mathētai), which means learners or followers. John's disciples were dedicated to his teachings and mission, which was to call people to repentance and prepare them for the coming Messiah. Historically, John's disciples were distinct from Jesus' disciples, yet they shared a common reverence for God's work through John.

came and took his body
The act of taking John's body demonstrates the disciples' devotion and respect for their teacher. The Greek verb ἦλθον (ēlthon) for "came" indicates a purposeful action, suggesting their courage and loyalty in retrieving John's body from Herod's custody. This act of burial was a significant cultural and religious duty, reflecting the Jewish customs of honoring the dead. It also highlights the disciples' bravery, as associating with John could have been dangerous given the political climate.

and buried it
The burial of John the Baptist was an act of piety and respect. The Greek word ἔθαψαν (ethapsan) for "buried" signifies the completion of a sacred duty. In Jewish tradition, burial was an essential practice, symbolizing the return of the body to the earth and the hope of resurrection. This act also fulfilled the commandment to honor the dead, showing the disciples' adherence to their faith even in the face of loss.

And they went and informed Jesus
This phrase indicates the disciples' recognition of Jesus' authority and their need to communicate significant events to Him. The Greek word ἀπήγγειλαν (apēngeilan) for "informed" suggests a formal report or announcement. By informing Jesus, John's disciples acknowledged His role as the Messiah and sought His guidance and comfort. This action underscores the interconnectedness of John's and Jesus' ministries and the transition of focus from John to Jesus as the central figure in God's redemptive plan.

(12) His disciples came.--Among those who thus transferred their allegiance to their true Lord were, we must believe, the two whom John had sent to Him from his prison. From this time they probably ceased in Judaea to be a distinct community, though, as the instances of Apollos (Acts 18:25) and the disciples at Ephesus (Acts 19:3) show, they still maintained a separate existence in the more distant regions to which the influence of the Baptist had indirectly penetrated.

Verse 12. - And his disciples came. "And when his disciples heard thereof, they came" (Mark). Perhaps they were not permitted to be so much with him as at an earlier period in his imprisonment (Matthew 11:2). But if the murder was in the evening, as would appear probable from the circumstances of it, they would naturally not be in the castle at the time. And took up the body; the corpse (Revised Version, τὸ πτῶμα). And buried it; him, (Revised Version, αὐτόν). It is right in Mark, but St. Matthew has preserved the more popular form of expression. And (Revised Version adds they) went and told Jesus. Matthew only. In Mark (Mark 6:30; cf. also Luke 9:10) this expression dearly belongs to the next paragraph, and is predicated of the twelve apostles on their return from their mission (Mark 6:7-12; our Matthew 10:5). It looks as though some confusion had arisen in the source before St. Matthew used it. As the words stand here they show the kindly feelings which both John and his disciples felt towards our Lord

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[John’s]
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

disciples
μαθηταὶ (mathētai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.

came [and]
προσελθόντες (proselthontes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4334: From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.

took
ἦραν (ēran)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 142: To raise, lift up, take away, remove.

[his]
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

body
πτῶμα (ptōma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4430: A fall; a carcass, corpse, dead body. From the alternate of pipto; a ruin, i.e., lifeless body.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

buried
ἔθαψαν (ethapsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2290: To bury. A primary verb; to celebrate funeral rites, i.e. Inter.

it.
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they went
ἐλθόντες (elthontes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

[and] informed
ἀπήγγειλαν (apēngeilan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 518: To report (from one place to another), bring a report, announce, declare. From apo and the base of aggelos; to announce.

Jesus.
Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 14:12 His disciples came and took the body (Matt. Mat Mt)
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