¹⁹ Herodias couldn’t forgive John for saying that. She wanted to kill him. But she could not, ²⁰ because Herod was afraid of John. So he kept John safe. Herod knew John was a holy man who did what was right. When Herod heard him, he was very puzzled. But he liked to listen to John.

²¹ Finally the right time came. Herod gave a banquet on his birthday. He invited his high officials and military leaders. He also invited the most important men in Galilee.