21
Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.
22
And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."
23
He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom."
24
So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"
25
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."
26
And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.
27
Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison,
28
brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.
29
When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.
30
Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.
31
And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.