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."
26. Although the king was upset, because of his solemn pledge and his guests, he didn’t want to refuse her.
27. So he ordered a guard to bring John’s head. The guard went to the prison, cut off John’s head,
28. brought his head on a plate, and gave it to the young woman, and she gave it to her mother.
29. When John’s disciples heard what had happened, they came and took his dead body and laid it in a tomb.
30. The apostles returned to Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught.
31. Many people were coming and going, so there was no time to eat. He said to the apostles, "Come by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while."
32. They departed in a boat by themselves for a deserted place.