Herod hosted a big banquet to celebrate his birthday. He invited a large crowd of important people. During the party, he sent for his wife’s daughter, and had her dance for the crowd. Herod was pleased with her performance. So he said to the girl, “Ask me for something and I’ll give it to you.”

He could tell that this impressed the people at his banquet, so he added, “Ask me anything. I swear I’ll give it to you, up to half my kingdom.”

The daughter knew she should ask advice about this. So, she talked to her mother. “What should I ask for?”

This was exactly what her mother wanted. “Ask for the head of John the Baptist.”

The girl rushed back to the party and said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a platter. And I want it now.”

Herod was shocked. Still, he had made his promise in front of his guests. So, he told the guard to go and behead John, and give the head to the girl.

The guard did as he was told. He went to the prison and beheaded John. He then brought the head back and gave it to the young woman on a platter. She took it to her mother.

John’s disciples went to the prison and got his body. After they buried it, they went and told Jesus.

Some time later, Herod heard about the things Jesus was doing. It struck him with conviction. He said, “I killed John, and now he’s risen from the dead. He has come back with great powers.”

From that day on, Herod wanted to meet and talk with Jesus.