24
She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" "The head of John the Baptist," she answered.
25
At once the girl hurried to ask the king. She said, "I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a big plate right now."
26
The king was very upset. But he thought of his promise and his dinner guests. So he did not want to say no to the girl.
27
He sent a man right away to bring John's head. The man went to the prison and cut off John's head.
28
He brought it back on a big plate. He gave it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.
29
John's disciples heard about this. So they came and took his body. Then they placed it in a tomb.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
30 The apostles gathered around Jesus. They told him all they had done and taught.
31
But many people were coming and going. So they did not even have a chance to eat. Then Jesus said to his apostles, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place. You need to get some rest."
32
So they went away by themselves in a boat to a quiet place.
33
But many people who saw them leaving recognized them. They ran from all the towns and got there ahead of them.
34
When Jesus came ashore, he saw a large crowd. He felt deep concern for them. They were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.