Herod waited in vain to be released from his oath; then he reluctantly commanded the execution of the prophet. Soon the head of John was brought in before the king and his guests. Forever sealed were those lips that had faithfully warned Herod to turn from his life of sin. Never more would that voice be heard calling men to repentance. The revels of one night had cost the life of one of the greatest of the prophets.

Forgæves ventede Herodes på at blive frigjort for sin ed. Derefter gav han modstræbende befaling til, at profeten skulle henrettes. Kort tid efter blev Johannes' hoved bragt hen foran kongen og gæsterne. Nu var der for evigt sat segl for disse læber, som trofast havde rådet Herodes til at vende sig fra sit syndige liv. Aldrig mere skulle denne røst kalde mennesker til omvendelse. En eneste nats løsslupne svirlag havde kostet den største af alle profeter livet.