Mark 6:16-29

16When Herod heard of it, he said, “John, the one I beheaded, has been raised!”

17For Herod himself had given orders to arrest John and to chain him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her.

18John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

19So Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not,

20because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing he was a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard him he would be very perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him.

21An opportune time came on his birthday, when Herod gave a banquet for his nobles, military commanders, and the leading men of Galilee.

22When Herodias’s own daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I’ll give it to you.”

23He promised her with an oath: “Whatever you ask me I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

24She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” “John the Baptist’s head,” she said.

25At once she hurried to the king and said, “I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head on a platter immediately.”

26Although the king was deeply distressed, because of his oaths and the guests he did not want to refuse her.

27The king immediately sent for an executioner and commanded him to bring John’s head. So he went and beheaded him in prison,

28brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother.

29When John’s disciples heard about it, they came and removed his corpse and placed it in a tomb.