How John the Baptizer Was Killed-Mark Chapter 6

17Herod* himself had ordered his soldiers to arrest John. So John was put into prison. Herod did this to please his wife, Herodias. Herodias was the wife of Philip, Herod's brother. But then Herod married Herodias. 18John told Herod that it was not right for him to be married to his brother's wife. 19So Herodias hated John. She wanted to kill him. But Herodias was not able to persuade Herod to kill John. 20Herod was afraid to kill John. Herod knew that all the people thought John was a good and holy man. So Herod protected John. Herod enjoyed listening to John preach. But John's message always bothered Herod. 21Then the right time came for Herodias to cause John's death. It happened on Herod's* birthday. Herod gave a dinner party for the most important government leaders, the commanders of his army, and the most important people in Galilee. 22The daughter of Herodias came to the party and danced. When she danced, Herod and the people eating with him were very pleased. So King Herod* said to the girl, "I will give you anything you want." 23Herod promised her, "Anything you ask for I will give to you. I will even give you half of my kingdom." 24The girl went to her mother and asked, "What should I ask King Herod* to give me?" Her mother answered, "Ask for the head of John the Baptizer." 25Quickly the girl went back in to the king. The girl said to the king, "Please give me the head of John the Baptizer. Bring it to me now on a plate." 26King Herod* was very sad. But he had promised to give the girl anything she wanted. And the people eating there with Herod heard his promise. So Herod did not want to refuse the thing she asked for. 27So the king sent a soldier to cut off John's head and bring it. So the soldier went and cut off John's head in the prison. 28Then the soldier brought John's head back on a plate. He gave the head to the girl. Then the girl gave the head to her mother. 29John's followers heard about what happened. So they came and got John's body. They put it in a tomb* (grave).