17 Forw Herod himself had given orders to arrest John and to chainx him in prison on account of Herodias,y his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her.z 18 John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawfulaa for you to have your brother’s wife.”ab 19 So Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to killac him. But she could not, 20 because Herod fearedad John and protected him, knowing he was a righteousae and holyaf man. When Herod heard him he would be very perplexed,C,ag and yet he liked to listen to him.ah

21 An opportune time came on his birthday, when Herod gave a banquetai for his nobles,aj military commanders,ak and the leading men of Galilee.al 22 When Herodias’s own daughterD came in and danced,am she pleased Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 He promised her with anan oath:ao “Whatever you ask me I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”ap

24 She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?”

“John the Baptist’saq head,” she said.

25 At once she hurried to the king and said, “I want you to give me John the Baptist’sar head on a platteras immediately.” 26 Although the king was deeply distressed,at because of his oathsau and the guestsE he did not want to refuseav her. 27 The king immediately sent for an executioner and commanded him to bring John’s head. So he went and beheaded him in prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When John’s disciplesaw heard about it, they came and removed his corpse and placed it in a tomb.ax