Now when Herod's birthday was celebrated, an opportune time came for Herodias to accomplish her desire. At that time, Herod made a banquet for his princes, and the military chiefs, and the leading men of Galilee. And the daughter of Herodias herself, coming in and dancing in the midst, pleased Herod and those reclining at table with him.

And the king said to the maid, "Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee." And he swore to her: "Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, even to half of my kingdom." And going out, she said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."

And entering in immediately with haste to the king, she asked, saying, "I desire that thou give me here at once on a dish the head of John the Baptist." And the king was grieved and became exceedingly sorrowful; but for the sake of his oaths, and those that reclined at table with him, he would not refuse her, and commanded it be given her. And immediately the king sent one of his bodyguard and ordered him to bring John's head. And he went and beheaded John in prison, and brought his head on a dish and gave it to the maid, and the maid gave it to her mother. And his disciples hearing of it, came and took up his corpse and buried it in a tomb; and they went and told Jesus.