21
But an opportunity came when Herod
1on his birthday
2gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.
22
For when Herodias’s daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you. ”
23
And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you,
3up to half of my kingdom. ”
24
And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask? ” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist. ”
25
And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter. ”
26
And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her.
27
And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. 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
4disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
30 5 6The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.
31
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while. ”For many were coming and going, and
7they had no leisure even to eat.