Matthew 14:8-10

The Voice

Salome (after whispering with her mother): ⁸Bring me the head of John the Baptist,^[a] displayed on a platter.

This is not what Herod expected—he imagined his stepdaughter would ask for a necklace or maybe a slave.

⁹Herod still thought it unwise to kill John, but because he had made such a show of his promise—because he had actually sworn an oath and because the scene was playing out in front of the watchful eyes of so many guests—Herod felt bound to give his stepdaughter what she wanted. ¹⁰And so he sent orders to the prison to have John beheaded,

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