Mark 6:22 kjv
And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
Mark 6:22 nkjv
And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."
Mark 6:22 niv
When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you."
Mark 6:22 esv
For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you."
Mark 6:22 nlt
Then his daughter, also named Herodias, came in and performed a dance that greatly pleased Herod and his guests. "Ask me for anything you like," the king said to the girl, "and I will give it to you."
Mark 6 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 14:6-7 | But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced... And it pleased Herod... he promised with an oath... he would give her whatever she might ask. | Parallel account of the promise. |
| Prov 29:12 | If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked. | Ruler influenced by wickedness (Herod by Herodias). |
| Pss 37:12-13 | The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. | Wicked plotting against God's messenger (Herodias/Herod). |
| Jas 1:13-15 | ...each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. | Desire leading to sin and death (Herod's lust/Herodias's malice). |
| Deut 23:21 | If you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you... | Vows are serious, but Herod's was rash and wicked. |
| Pss 15:4 | ...who swears to his own hurt and does not change... | Herod sworn to his own 'hurt' but fulfills it anyway. |
| Ecc 5:4-5 | When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it... Better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. | The danger of rash vows (Herod's promise). |
| Gen 27:38-40 | Esau said to his father, “Have you but one blessing...?”. | Parental favoritism/concessions, often with poor results. |
| Num 30:2 | If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath... he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. | The binding nature of an oath. |
| Jer 38:5 | King Zedekiah said, “Behold, he is in your hands, for the king can do nothing against you.” | King bowing to wicked pressure despite moral obligation. |
| Gen 4:8 | Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. | Killing the innocent/righteous out of malice. |
| Jer 26:20-23 | There was also a man who prophesied in the name of the Lord... and they put him to death with the sword. | Prophets killed by authorities. |
| 1 Ki 21:1-19 | Ahab, incited by Jezebel, procures Naboth's death through false charges. | Royal abuse of power influenced by a wicked woman. |
| Isa 30:9-11 | ...this is a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord; who say to the seers, “Do not see visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions." | Desire to silence prophetic voices. |
| 2 Sam 11:2-4 | David sees Bathsheba... and takes her... and she conceived. | Ruler's desire leading to sinful actions and death. |
| Ps 76:10 | Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will restrain. | God's sovereignty over even evil acts (John's martyrdom). |
| 1 Pet 4:4 | With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of dissipation, and they malign you... | Standing against wicked world views (John vs. Herod). |
| Jude 1:11 | Woe to them! For they walk in the way of Cain and abandon themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perish in Korah’s rebellion. | Examples of destructive desires leading to unrighteous acts. |
| Pr 6:25-26 | Do not desire her beauty in your heart, nor let her capture you with her eyelids; for on account of a prostitute one is brought to a loaf of bread, and a married woman hunts for a precious life. | Lust leading to entrapment and ruin. |
| Hos 4:11 | Wine and new wine take away the understanding. | Effects of intoxication leading to poor judgment. |
Mark 6 verses
Mark 6 22 Meaning
Mark 6:22 details the pivotal moment during Herod Antipas's birthday feast when the daughter of Herodias, after performing a dance, so greatly pleased Herod and his guests that the ruler, in a moment of impulse and ostentatious generosity, offered her anything she desired, promising to fulfill her request. This rash oath set the stage for the tragic martyrdom of John the Baptist, illustrating the destructive consequences of sin, political ambition, and a king's moral compromise.
Mark 6 22 Context
Mark 6:22 is set within the grim narrative of John the Baptist's martyrdom. Herod Antipas, a Tetrarch who governed Galilee and Perea, held a lavish birthday banquet for his leading officials, military officers, and prominent Galileans. This setting emphasizes Herod's status and the public nature of his actions. Herodias, the wife of Herod Philip, whom Herod Antipas had unlawfully taken as his own wife, harbored a deep grudge against John for openly condemning their incestuous marriage (Mk 6:17-18). Although Herod himself feared John, recognizing his righteousness, Herodias relentlessly sought John's life (Mk 6:19-20). It is at this feast, steeped in excess and moral laxity, that Herodias's unnamed daughter (traditionally identified as Salome) performs a dance that captivates Herod and his drunken guests, leading to the king's impulsive, binding promise in this verse. The verse highlights Herod's flawed kingship, caught between fear of God's prophet and the desires of a wicked woman, under the influence of public show and alcohol.
Mark 6 22 Word analysis
when Herodias’s daughter: In Greek, "Καὶ εἰσελθούσης τῆς θυγατρὸς αὐτοῦ Ἡρῳδιάδος" (Kai eiselthousēs tēs thugatros autou Hērōdiados), literally "and having come in the daughter of his Herodias." The "his" refers to Herodias's relation to Herod Philip, her former husband, whose daughter Salome was. Mark identifies her through Herodias, underscoring Herodias's centrality to the plot. This naming emphasizes the lineage through Herodias, the orchestrator of the evil scheme against John.
herself came in: "εἰσελθούσης" (eiselthousēs), the participle of "eiserchomai" (to come in, enter). This indicates a deliberate act, her personal entrance onto the stage or banquet area. It wasn't an accidental appearance but a prepared performance designed to impress.
and danced: "ὀρχησαμένης" (orcheisamenēs), the participle of "orcheomai" (to dance). The nature of such a dance in that cultural context, performed by a young woman before men, was often sensual or provocative, intended for entertainment and pleasure. This specific action led directly to Herod's fateful offer.
she pleased: "ἤρεσεν" (ēresen), the aorist active indicative of "areskō" (to please, satisfy). It conveys a deep gratification or approval. The performance deeply resonated with Herod and his company, influencing his subsequent irrational promise. This pleasure stemmed from fleshly desires rather than spiritual discernment.
Herod: Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. Although referred to as "king" in this context, he held the title of "tetrarch," ruling only a quarter of his father's former kingdom. This detail underscores his aspiration for grandeur and the pomp of his court.
and his guests: "τοῖς συνανακειμένοις" (tois synanakeimenois), meaning "those reclining together (at table)." It highlights the public nature of the event and Herod's desire for validation or applause from his company, further pressuring him to keep his oath later.
And the king: "καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς" (kai ho basileus). The title "king" emphasizes his perceived authority and power, which he used in this moment for self-aggrandizement. The irony is that this 'king' is utterly unrighteous and driven by carnal desires.
said to the girl: "εἶπεν τῷ κορασίῳ" (eipan tō korasiō). "κορασίῳ" (korasiō) refers to a young maiden or girl, possibly in her teens. Her youth makes Herod's extravagant and open-ended offer even more irresponsible, especially given the tragic outcome it directly precipitated.
“Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.”: "Αἴτησαι με ὃ ἐὰν θέλῃς, καὶ δώσω σοι." (Aitēsai me ho ean thelēs, kai dōsō soi.) This is an unreserved, unconditional promise, binding in their cultural context, especially when spoken with an oath (as mentioned in Matthew's parallel account). It reveals Herod's impulsive and reckless character, a display of power untethered from wisdom or righteousness, and contrasts sharply with God's measured and righteous promises to those who seek Him.
when Herodias’s daughter herself came in and danced: This phrase encapsulates a deliberate, performed act rooted in a lineage associated with intrigue and corruption (Herodias). The act of dancing itself, in a sensual or attention-grabbing manner, served as a catalyst for Herod’s imprudent decision, demonstrating how carnal indulgence can blind leaders to wisdom and justice.
she pleased Herod and his guests: This group of words points to the seductive power of the performance and its immediate effect on Herod and his court. It speaks to a shared atmosphere of moral laxity and worldly pleasure where unrighteous desires were entertained and even celebrated. Herod's seeking of approval from his guests contributes to his downfall, showing pride and a concern for public image over integrity.
And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.”: This marks the dramatic moment of Herod's fatal mistake. The king’s unreserved promise signifies a complete lack of foresight and wisdom. It highlights the dangers of power without accountability and underscores how impulsive decisions, fueled by pleasure and public spectacle, can have devastating, irreversible consequences.
Mark 6 22 Bonus section
The portrayal of Herod as "king" by Mark emphasizes the corrupt nature of earthly power that opposes divine will, contrasting him implicitly with the true King, Jesus. The silence of the unnamed daughter after Herod's offer and before her request underscores her role as a tool for her mother's vindictive plot against John. This episode serves as a powerful testament to the spiritual blindness that wealth, position, and uncontrolled appetites can produce, trapping individuals in their own self-made snares of obligation and sin. The event tragically fulfills John the Baptist's prophetic mission through his martyrdom, revealing the hostility of the world towards God's messengers and the truth they proclaim.
Mark 6 22 Commentary
Mark 6:22 unveils a scene of moral depravity at the pinnacle of power, leading directly to the death of God's prophet, John the Baptist. Herod, influenced by drink, lust, and the desire to impress, makes an open-ended, public promise, characteristic of despotic rulers eager to display their authority. His impulsive offer to Herodias's daughter is not rooted in true generosity or wisdom, but rather in a moment of heightened pleasure and a disregard for moral implications. This verse sets the stage for Herodias's manipulation, using her daughter as an instrument to achieve her malevolent aim against John. It vividly portrays the slippery slope from unbridled desire to foolish promises, and ultimately, to grievous sin and injustice, underscoring that compromise with evil often leads to disastrous, irreversible outcomes.