Herod married his brother Philip's wife, Herodias, and John the Baptist told Herod that it wasn't right to have her. Herodias resented John and wanted to kill him, but Herod respected John and knew he was a holy and righteous man. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. Herod put John in prison for Herodias' sake, but he kept him protected from her because the people believed John was a prophet and he feared what the people would do if anything happened to him.

The king Herod had a birthday feast for himself and invited all his nobles of Galilee. During the celebration, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst of them all and it pleased Herod and his guests. He said to the girl, Ask whatever you want and I'll give it to you. And he sware to her with an oath, Whatever you ask, I'll give it to you, up to half of my kingdom. Now, earlier on, Herodias had advised her daughter what to ask for and she said to Herod, I wish that you give me at once in a charger (platter), the head of John the Baptist.

Sometimes you just have to wonder how evil people can stand to live with themselves. At this point, Herod had a chance to stand up and say, this is wrong, just like John did. John believed that defending honor was righteous, but Herod, swindled by Herodias, was too prideful to deny her daughter what he promised, even though he knew it was wrong, and his fear was about to become a reality. Remember, Herod didn't dislike John, he just let his wife deceive him.

Herod was greatly sorrowed, but because he gave his word in front of his friends and he didn't want to make a fool of himself, he wouldn't reject her and he ordered it to be done.

Immediately Herod commanded an executioner and John was beheaded in the prison. The executioner brought back John's head in a charger and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. John's disciples came and took John's body and buried it, and went and told Jesus what happened.