18
John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry your brother’s wife.”
19
So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod’s approval she was powerless,
20
for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.
21
Herodias’s chance finally came on Herod’s birthday. He gave a party for his high government officials, army officers, and the leading citizens of Galilee.
22
Then his daughter, also named Herodias, came in and performed a dance that greatly pleased Herod and his guests. “Ask me for anything you like,” the king said to the girl, “and I will give it to you.”
23
He even vowed, “I will give you whatever you ask, up to half my kingdom!”
24
She went out and asked her mother, “What should I ask for?” Her mother told her, “Ask for the head of John the Baptist!”
25
So the girl hurried back to the king and told him, “I want the head of John the Baptist, right now, on a tray!”
26
Then the king deeply regretted what he had said; but because of the vows he had made in front of his guests, he couldn’t refuse her.
27
So he immediately sent an executioner to the prison to cut off John’s head and bring it to him. The soldier beheaded John in the prison,
28
brought his head on a tray, and gave it to the girl, who took it to her mother.