18. John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife! ”
19. So Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not,
20. because Herod was in awe of John and was protecting him, knowing he was a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard him he would be very disturbed, yet would hear him gladly.
21. Now an opportune time came on his birthday, when Herod gave a banquet for his nobles, military commanders, and the leading men of Galilee.
22. When Herodias’s own daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I’ll give it to you.”
23. So he swore oaths to her: “Whatever you ask me I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
24. Then she went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for? ”“John the Baptist’s head! ” she said.
25. Immediately she hurried to the king and said, “I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head on a platter — right now! ”
26. Though the king was deeply distressed, because of his oaths and the guests he did not want to refuse her.
27. The king immediately sent for an executioner and commanded him to bring John’s head. So he went and beheaded him in prison,
28. brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother.
29. When his disciples heard about it, they came and removed his corpse and placed it in a tomb.
30. The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all that they had done and taught.
31. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.
32. So they went away in the boat by themselves to a remote place,
33. but many saw them leaving and recognized them. People ran there by land from all the towns and arrived ahead of them.
34. So as He stepped ashore, He saw a huge crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then He began to teach them many things.
35. When it was already late, His disciples approached Him and said, “This place is a wilderness, and it is already late!
36. Send them away, so they can go into the surrounding countryside and villages to buy themselves something to eat.”
37. “You give them something to eat,” He responded.They said to Him, “Should we go and buy 200 denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat? ”