The prophet, John the Baptist (Alan Badel), speaks to the people of the sinful lives lead by King Herod (Charles Laughton) and Queen Herodias (Judith Anderson) of Galilee. The queen wants him killed for his outspokenness. But the king keeps him alive because he believes John the Baptist is the Messiah, and fears a prophecy stating that if a king of the house of Herod does harm to the Messiah, he will die an agonizing death. Elsewhere, in Rome, Herodias' daughter, Princess Salome (Rita Hayworth), has fallen in love with Marcellus Fabius (Rex Reason). His uncle is Caesar Tiberius (Sir Cedric Hardwicke), ruler of the Roman Empire. To prevent his nephew from marrying Salome, a "barbarian" from Galilee, she is banished from Rome, where she had lived since childhood.

Salome is sent "home" to Galilee and a hatred grows in her for all Romans. Also onboard the ship bound for Galilee is Commander Claudius (Stewart Granger). Because of her aversion to Romans, she rejects his advances, keeping him at a distance. Once she has arrived at the palace, King Herod openly shows interest in his beautiful daughter-in-law. Having witnessed this, Queen Herodias makes plans to use Salome to entice the king into ordering the death of John the Baptist. Sensing her mother's fear of the prophet, she goes into town to hear what he says of her. Under pressure to keep John the Baptist from speaking against the house of Herod, the king has him arrested. Commander Claudius does all he can to have him released but nothing can be done.

Meanwhile, Salome realizes that John the Baptist speaks the truth about her mother when Herodias asks her to dance for the king to persuade him to kill the prophet, even though dancing for him will make Salome become his possession. Salome now wants to leave Galilee with Claudius, whom she has come to love. But first, she must get Herod to release John the Baptist. She realizes there is only one way -she must dance for him, and in return request John the Baptist's release. Salome does her infamous "Dance of the Seven Veils", and King Herod is prepared to give her anything she desires. During the performance, Herodias tells Herod that Salome's request is for the head of John the Baptist. The task is carried out, and the head presented to the horrified Salome on a silver platter. The king and queen are left to face the doom that was prophesized for them, while Salome and Claudius flee Galilee to follow Jesus Christ.