21. Then the perfect time came for Herodias to cause John’s death. It happened on Herod’s birthday. Herod gave a dinner party for the most important government leaders, the commanders of his army, and the most important people in Galilee.
22. The daughter of Herodias came to the party and danced. When she danced, Herod and the people eating with him were very pleased.So King Herod said to the girl, “I will give you anything you want.”
23. He promised her, “Anything you ask for I will give to you. I will even give you half of my kingdom.”
24. The girl went to her mother and asked, “What should I ask the king to give me?”Her mother answered, “Ask for the head of John the Baptist.”
25. Quickly the girl went back to the king. She said to him, “Please give me the head of John the Baptist. Bring it to me now on a platter.”
26. The king was very sad. But he had promised to give the girl anything she wanted. And the people eating there with him had heard his promise. So Herod could not refuse what she asked.
27. Immediately the king sent a soldier to bring John’s head. The soldier went and cut off John’s head in the prison
28. and brought it back on a platter. He gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.
29. John’s followers heard about what happened. So they came and got John’s body and put it in a tomb.
30. The apostles that Jesus had sent out to preach returned. They gathered around him and told him about all the things they had done and taught.
31. Crowds of people were coming and going. Jesus and his followers did not even have time to eat. He said to them, “Come with me. We will go to a quiet place to be alone. There we will get some rest.”
32. So they went in a boat alone to a place where there were no people.