3
Herod had arrested John, put him in chains, and sent him to prison to placate Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
4
John had provoked Herod by naming his relationship with Herodias "adultery."
5
Herod wanted to kill him, but he was afraid because so many people revered John as a prophet of God.
6
But at his birthday celebration, he got his chance. Herodias's daughter provided the entertainment, dancing for the guests. She swept Herod away.
7
In his drunken enthusiasm, he promised her on oath anything she wanted.
8
Already coached by her mother, she was ready: "Give me, served up on a platter, the head of John the Baptizer."
9
That sobered the king up fast. Unwilling to lose face with his guests, he did it
10
- ordered John's head cut off
11
and presented to the girl on a platter. She in turn gave it to her mother.
12
Later, John's disciples got the body, gave it a reverent burial, and reported to Jesus.
13
When Jesus got the news, he slipped away by boat to an out-of-the-way place by himself. But unsuccessfully - someone saw him and the word got around. Soon a lot of people from the nearby villages walked around the lake to where he was.