21. But a convenient day came when Herod on his birthday prepared a ceremonial dinner for his lords and commanding officers and leading men of Galilee.
22. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you desire, and I will give it to you.”
23. And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”
24. She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?”She said, “The head of John the Baptist.”
25. She came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter at once.”
26. The king was extremely sorrowful. Yet for the sake of his oath and those who sat with him, he would not reject her.
27. So the king immediately sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. He went and beheaded him in the prison,
28. and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother.
29. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.
30. The apostles met with Jesus and told him everything, both what they had done and what they had taught.
31. Then He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest a while,” for many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.