But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. read more. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." And the king was sorry; but, because of his oaths and his guests, he commanded it to be given to her; so he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Then his disciples came and took the body and buried it; and they went and told Jesus.

But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his high officers and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. And when the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it to you." read more. And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom." So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!" Immediately she came in 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." And the king was exceedingly sorry; but, because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her. And immediately the king sent an executioner and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.