Mark 6:20-32

²⁰for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he was protecting him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and he would hear him gladly.

²¹And when an opportune day arrived, when Herod for his birthday festivities was putting on a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee,

²²and when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and his dinner guests, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you may want, and I will give it to you.”

²³He also swore to her, “Whatever you may ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”

²⁴And when she had gone out, she said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!”

²⁵Immediately she came in with haste to the king and she requested, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

²⁶And the king became exceedingly sorry; yet, because of his oaths and of those who reclined with him, he did not want to refuse her.

²⁷And immediately the king, having sent an executioner, commanded his head to be brought. And having departed, he beheaded him in the prison,

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

²⁹And when his disciples heard, they came and took away his body and placed it in a tomb.

³⁰Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and they reported to Him all things, both everything they had done and everything they had taught.

³¹And He said to them, “Come, you yourselves privately, to a deserted place and rest a little.” For there were many coming and going, and they were not even finding opportunity to eat.

³²And they went away to a deserted place in the boat privately.