Mark 6:17-29

17Herod himself had sent his soldiers to take hold of John. He had said to his soldiers, ‘Tie his hands and feet and put him in prison.’ Herod had done that because of his wife, Herodias. She had been the wife of Herod's brother, Philip. But Herod had married her.

18John had said to him, ‘Herodias is your brother's wife. It is not right for you to have her as your wife.’

19So Herodias was angry with John. She wanted to kill him. But she could not do that,

20because Herod was afraid of John. Herod knew that John was a good man and a servant of God. So Herod kept John safe. Herod liked to listen to the things that John said. But he did not know what to think about those things.

21One day, Herodias had her chance. It was Herod's birthday and he asked many people to come to a special meal. Important men and officers came. The rulers from Galilee were also there.

22The daughter of Herodias came in and she danced. Herod and his visitors were very happy when they saw her dance. King Herod said to the girl, ‘Ask me for anything that you want. I will give it to you.’

23He made a strong promise, ‘I will give you anything that you ask me to give to you. I will even give you half of everything that I rule over.’

24The girl went out and she said to her mother, ‘What should I ask him for?’ Her mother replied, ‘Ask for the head of John the Baptist.’

25The girl went quickly to Herod and she said to him, ‘I want the head of John the Baptist. Put it on a plate! Do it now!’

26Then Herod felt very sad. Because he had made a special promise, he did not want to refuse her. All his visitors had heard him.

27So immediately, the king sent a soldier to go to John. The king told the soldier that he must bring John's head. So the soldier went to the prison and he cut off John's head there.

28Then he brought it back on a plate. He gave it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.

29People told John's disciples about what had happened. So they went to the prison. They took away John's body and they buried it.