87. At This Time, or Shortly Before, the Beheading of the Forerunner. Mt. 14:6–12; Mk. 6:19–29

Herodias, cherishing malice toward John the Baptist, sought by all means to put him to death, and could not. But at last a convenient day came, when Herod, on the occasion of his birthday, made a feast for his nobles, the commanders of thousands, and the chief men of Galilee. During the celebration of this day the daughter of Herodias came in and danced before the assembly and pleased Herod and those who were reclining with him. The king said to the maiden: Ask of me whatsoever you wish, and I will give it to you. And he swore to her with an oath: Whatsoever you shall ask of me, I will give you, even to the half of my kingdom.

She went out and asked of her mother: What shall I ask? She answered: The head of John the Baptist. Instructed thus by her mother, the maiden at once went in haste to the king and asked, saying: I wish that you give me this very moment the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

And the king was made sorrowful; but because of his oath and those reclining with him, he did not wish to refuse her. And immediately he sent an executioner to cut off the head of John in prison and bring it. He went and cut off John’s head and brought it on a platter. And they gave it to the maiden, and the maiden brought it to her mother.

And John’s disciples, having heard of this, came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Then they went and reported these things to the Lord Jesus.