Mark 6:19-27
6:19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But
she could not
6:20 because Herod stood in awe of
John and protected him, since he knew that John
was a righteous and holy man. When Herod
heard him, he was thoroughly baffled,
and yet
he liked to listen to John.
6:21 But a suitable day came, when Herod gave a banquet on his birthday for his court officials, military commanders, and leaders of Galilee.
6:22 When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.”
6:23 He swore to her, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
6:24 So she went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” Her mother said, “The head of John the baptizer.”
6:25 Immediately she hurried back to the king and made her request: “I want the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.”
6:26 Although it grieved the king deeply, he did not want to reject her request because of his oath and his guests.
6:27 So the king sent an executioner at once to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded John in prison.