19. So Herodias nursed a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not
20. because Herod stood in awe of John and protected him, since he knew that John was a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard him, he was thoroughly baffled, and yet he liked to listen to John.
21. But a suitable day came, when Herod gave a banquet on his birthday for his court officials, military commanders, and leaders of Galilee.
22. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.”
23. He swore to her, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
24. So she went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” Her mother said, “The head of John the baptizer.”
25. Immediately she hurried back to the king and made her request: “I want the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.”
26. Although it grieved the king deeply, he did not want to reject her request because of his oath and his guests.
27. So the king sent an executioner at once to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded John in prison.
28. He brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.
29. When John’s disciples heard this, they came and took his body and placed it in a tomb.
30. Then the apostles gathered around Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught.
31. He said to them, “Come with me privately to an isolated place and rest a while” (for many were coming and going, and there was no time to eat).