18
John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to be married to your brother's wife."
19
So Herodias hated John and wanted to kill him. But she couldn't,
20
because Herod was afraid of John and protected him. He knew John was a good and holy man. Also, though John's preaching always bothered him, he enjoyed listening to John.
21
Then the perfect time came for Herodias to cause John's death. On Herod's birthday, he gave a dinner party for the most important government leaders, the commanders of his army, and the most important people in Galilee.
22
When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and the people eating with him. So King Herod said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want, and I will give it to you."
23
He promised her, "Anything you ask for I will give to you -- up to half of my kingdom."
24
The girl went to her mother and asked, "What should I ask for?" Her mother answered, "Ask for the head of John the Baptist."
25
At once the girl went back to the king and said to him, "I want the head of John the Baptist right now on a platter."
26
Although the king was very sad, he had made a promise, and his dinner guests had heard it. So he did not want to refuse what she asked.
27
Immediately the king sent a soldier to bring John's head. The soldier went and cut off John's head in the prison
28
and brought it back on a platter. He gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.