Herod's birthday being celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod; consequently with an oath he promised to give to her whatsoever she might ask. read more. And being instigated by her mother, she says, Give me the head of John the Baptist here in a charger. And the king was grieved; nevertheless on account of his oaths, and those who were sitting with him, he commanded it to be given. And sending, he beheaded John in prison; and his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. And His disciples, having come, took the body, and buried it; and having come they proclaimed it to Jesus.

And it being a high day, when Herod on his birthday made a feast to his mighty men, and chiliarchs, and the first men of Galilee; and the daughter of Herodias herself, having come in and danced, and pleased Herod and those sitting with him; the king said to the damsel. Ask what you may wish, and I will give it to you. read more. And he promised her, I will give you whatsoever you may ask, even unto the half of my kingdom. And having gone out, she said to her mother, What shall I ask And she said, The head of John the Baptist. And she having come in to the king, immediately with haste asked him, saying; I wish, that you may give to me immediately, the head of John the Baptist in a charger. And the king being grieved exceedingly; on account of his oaths, and those sitting with him, was not willing to reject her. And the king immediately sending forth a soldier of his guard, commanded that his head should be brought. And having departed, he beheaded him in prison: and brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother.