21 But a convenient day arrived when Herod spread an evening meal on his birthday+ for his high officials and the military commanders and the most prominent men of Galʹi·lee.+ 22 And the daughter of He·roʹdi·as came in and danced and pleased Herod and those dining* with him. The king said to the girl: “Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23 Yes, he swore to her: “Whatever you ask me for, I will give it to you, up to half my kingdom.” 24 So she went out and said to her mother: “What should I ask for?” She said: “The head of John the Baptizer.” 25 She immediately rushed in to the king and made her request, saying: “I want you to give me right away on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”+ 26 Although this deeply grieved him, the king did not want to disregard her request, because of his oaths and his guests.* 27 So the king immediately sent a bodyguard and commanded him to bring John’s head. So he went off and beheaded him in the prison 28 and brought his head on a platter. He gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.*