But, when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before his guests, and so pleased Herod, That he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. read more. Prompted by her mother, the girl said 'Give me here, on a dish, the head of John the Baptist.' The king was distressed at this; yet, on account of his oath and of the guests at his table, he ordered it to be given her. He sent and beheaded John in the prison; And his head was brought on a dish and given to the girl, and she took it to her mother. Then John's disciples came, and took the body away, and buried it; and went and told Jesus.

A suitable opportunity, however, occurred when Herod, on his birthday, gave a dinner to his high officials, and his generals, and the foremost men in Galilee. And when his daughter--that is, the daughter of Herodias--came in and danced, she delighted Herod and those who were dining with him. 'Ask me for whatever you like,' the King said to the girl, 'and I will give it to you'; read more. And he swore to her that he would give her whatever she asked him--up to half his kingdom. The girl went out, and said to her mother 'What must I ask for?' 'The head of John the Baptizer,' answered her mother. So she went in as quickly as possible to the King, and made her request. 'I want you,' she said, 'to give me at once, on a dish, the head of John the Baptist.' The King was much distressed; yet, on account of his oath and of the guests at his table, he did not like to refuse her. He immediately dispatched one of his bodyguard, with orders to bring John's head. The man went and beheaded John in the prison, And, bringing his head on a dish, gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.