Herod feared John 
and protected him, 
knowing him to be a righteous and 
holy man. When Herod heard John, 
he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked 
to listen to him. .
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On his birthday Herod gave a 
banquet for his high officials 
and military commanders and 
the leading men of Galilee.
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When the daughter of Herodias came 
in and danced, she pleased Herod 
and his dinner guests. 

 
The king said to the girl, 
"Ask me for anything you want, 
and I'll give it to you." 
And he promised her with 
an oath, "Whatever 
you ask I will give you, 
up to half my kingdom."
 		 .
She said to her mother, 
"What shall I ask for?" 
 
"The head of John 
the Baptist," 
she answered. --
At once the girl hurried in to the king 
with the request: "I want you to give 
me right now the head of John the 
Baptist on a platter." 
 --
 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. 
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The man went, beheaded John in the prison,
and brought back 
his head on a platter. 
He presented it to the girl, 
and she gave it 
to her mother.
 


(from St. Mark -  Cap 6, 20-28) 

to St.John's martyre painted by Caravaggio