Gospel: Mark 6:17-29

¹⁷ For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Hero’di-as, his brother Philip’s wife; because he had married her.
¹⁸ For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
¹⁹ And Hero’di-as had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not,
²⁰ for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly.
²¹ But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee.
²² For when Hero’di-as’ daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.”
²³ And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.”
²⁴ And she went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the baptizer.”
²⁵ And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
²⁶ And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her.
²⁷ And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison,
²⁸ and brought his head on a platter, and 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.