But when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced in the circle, and pleased Herod: so that with an oath he promised to give her whatever she should ask. read more. And she, being previously urged on by her mother, said, Give me here, in a spacious dish, the head of John the Baptist. And the king was grieved: but for his oath's sake, and on account of those who were with him, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought on a large dish, and was given to the young lady: and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body, and buried it, and they came and told Jesus.

And a favourable day being come for her purpose, when Herod on his birth-day made a supper for his nobles, and military commanders, and the principal personages of Galilee; and the daughter of this Herodias coming in, and dancing, and delighting Herod, and his company, the king said to the damsel, Ask me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. read more. And he swore unto her, That whatsoever thou shalt ask, I will give thee, even to the half of my kingdom. Then she went out and said to her mother, What shall I ask? and she said, The head of John the Baptist. And she came in immediately with eagerness to the king, and asked, saying, I desire that thou wilt give me on the spot, in a charger, the head of John the Baptist. And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet on account of his oath, and those who sat with him, he would not refuse her. And the king immediately sending a centinel, commanded his head to be brought thither: and he went, and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother.