17. He said this because Herod himself had arranged to have John arrested and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother Philip. Herod had married her,
18. but John told Herod, "It’s against the law for you to marry your brother’s wife!"
19. So Herodias had it in for John. She wanted to kill him, but she couldn’t.
20. This was because Herod respected John. He regarded him as a righteous and holy person, so he protected him. John’s words greatly confused Herod, yet he enjoyed listening to him.
21. Finally, the time was right. It was on one of Herod’s birthdays, when he had prepared a feast for his high-ranking officials and military officers and Galilee’s leading residents.
22. Herod’s daughter Herodias came in and danced, thrilling Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the young woman, "Ask me whatever you wish, and I will give it to you."
23. Then he swore to her, "Whatever you ask I will give to you, even as much as half of my kingdom."
24. She left the banquet hall and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" "John the Baptist’s head," Herodias replied.
25. Hurrying back to the ruler, she made her request: "I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head on a plate, right this minute."