1But Herod continued in the search for John, and sent his emissaries to Zechariah to say to him: 'Where have you hidden your son?' But he answered: 'I am engaged in the service of God and I am always in the temple. I do not know where my son is.'
2The emissaries informed Herod of everything that had happened, and he became very angry, saying to himself: 'It must be his son who will reign in Israel.'
3But Zechariah answered: 'I will be a martyr of the Lord if you dare to shed my blood, because my soul will be gathered by the Lord when an innocent life is cut down.' And at the break of dawn Zechariah was murdered.