24
She at once went out and said to her mother: "What shall I ask for?" "The head of John the Baptizer," she replied.
25
The girl immediately came in, in haste, to the King and made her request. "My desire is," she said, "that you will give me, here and now, on a dish, the head of John the Baptist."
26
Then the King, though intensely sorry, yet for the sake of his oaths, and of his guests, would not break faith with her.
27
He at once sent a soldier of his guard with orders to bring John's head. So he went and beheaded him in the prison,
28
and brought his head on a dish and gave it to the young girl, who gave it to her mother.
29
When John's disciples heard of it, they came and took away his body and laid it in a tomb.
30
When the Apostles had re-assembled round Jesus, they reported to Him all they had done and all they had taught.
31
Then He said to them, "Come away, all of you, to a quiet place, and rest awhile." For there were many coming and going, so that they had no time even for meals.
32
Accordingly they sailed away in the boat to a solitary place apart.
33
But the people saw them going, and many knew them; and coming by land they ran together there from all the neighbouring towns, and arrived before them.
34
So when Jesus landed, He saw a vast multitude; and His heart was moved with pity for them, because they were like sheep which have no shepherd, and He proceeded to teach them many things.