Mark 6 23

Mark 6:23 kjv

And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

Mark 6:23 nkjv

He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."

Mark 6:23 niv

And he promised her with an oath, "Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom."

Mark 6:23 esv

And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom."

Mark 6:23 nlt

He even vowed, "I will give you whatever you ask, up to half my kingdom!"

Mark 6 verses

Mark 6 23 Meaning

Mark 6:23 describes the extravagant oath made by Herod Antipas to Salome, the daughter of Herodias. Impressed by her dance during his birthday celebration, Herod rashly swears to grant her anything she desires, even up to half of his kingdom. This verse establishes the solemn and binding nature of his promise, which becomes the catalyst for the tragic death of John the Baptist. It underscores Herod's impulsive character and the significant power, both literal and rhetorical, inherent in royal pronouncements.

Mark 6 23 Context

This verse is embedded within Mark's account of John the Baptist's martyrdom (Mark 6:14-29). Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, is holding a birthday feast. Previously, John the Baptist had publicly condemned Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife (Mark 6:18). Herodias nursed a grudge against John, desiring his death, while Herod, though troubled by John's message, respected him and often listened to him (Mark 6:20). During the feast, Salome, Herodias's daughter, performs a dance that greatly pleases Herod and his dinner guests. In a display of kingly exuberance, possibly influenced by alcohol and the festive atmosphere, Herod makes this grandiose and ultimately tragic oath. This moment sets the stage for the fulfillment of Herodias's vindictive desire, exposing Herod's weakness and the dangers of human vanity and rash vows.

Mark 6 23 Word analysis

• And he swore (καὶ ὤμοσεν - kai ōmosen): The Greek verb ōmosen (aorist active indicative of omnymi) means "he swore" or "he took an oath." This denotes a formal, binding declaration made by invoking a higher authority (like God) or, in a king's case, by pledging one's honor and authority. For Herod, this oath was immensely serious in ancient custom, creating an inescapable obligation. The act implies his kingly power and solemn commitment, making its fulfillment culturally expected, regardless of the content.
• unto her (αὐτῇ - autē): A dative pronoun, specifying the direct recipient of the oath: Salome. This highlights the personal and direct nature of Herod's promise, binding him specifically to her request.
• 'Whatever (Ὅ τι ἐὰν - Ho ti ean): A comprehensive phrase meaning "anything whatever," or "no matter what thing." This demonstrates the unrestrained generosity of Herod's promise, highlighting his eagerness to fulfill her desire, whatever it might be, without forethought of consequences.
• you ask of me, I will give you, (αἰτήσῃς με, δῴ σοι - aitēsēis me, dō soi): The future tense ("I will give you") underscores the certainty of Herod's intention. The verb aitēsēis ("you may ask") is an aorist subjunctive, indicating an action that may or may not happen but sets the condition for the promise. This emphasizes that the content of the "giving" is entirely dependent on her choice.
• up to (ἕως - heōs): This preposition means "as far as," "until," or "up to." It defines the extreme limit of Herod's offer, showcasing his perceived boundless generosity within his domain.
• half (ἡμίσους - hēmisous): The genitive singular of "half." This term represents a vast, rhetorical gesture of kingly generosity, meaning an incredibly large portion of his resources, wealth, or even territory. It’s a conventional hyperbolic expression in ancient Near Eastern royal courts, seen also in the book of Esther.
• of my kingdom.' (τῆς βασιλείας μου - tēs basileias mou): Refers to Herod's sphere of political power, territory, and wealth as a tetrarch under Roman suzerainty. Though he was not a fully independent king, he wielded significant authority. The phrase underlines the enormous magnitude of his pledge.

Mark 6 23 Bonus section

• Royal Pomp and Power: The phrase "up to half of my kingdom" was a well-known ancient Near Eastern expression of kingly magnanimity (compare Esther 5:3). However, Herod's use of it here transforms a conventional gesture of benevolence into a fatal blunder, exposing the emptiness of worldly power when divorced from moral discretion.
• The Power of an Oath: In Jewish culture, oaths were taken very seriously, often invoking God as a witness, making them binding even if given unwisely. For Herod, fulfilling the oath, no matter how egregious its outcome, became a matter of his royal honor and authority, thereby trapping him in a destructive commitment.
• Irony: Herod, who supposedly feared and respected John, is led by an impetuous oath, given to please his guests and satisfy a dancing girl's demand, into the execution of the prophet. This paints a vivid picture of a ruler ensnared by his own weaknesses and the manipulations of those around him, a stark warning against compromising one's principles.

Mark 6 23 Commentary

Mark 6:23 is the pivot point of a grave decision, driven by rashness and the desire for human approval. Herod Antipas, in a moment of intoxicated pleasure and kingly display, binds himself with a sacred oath to grant an unthought-out request. His offer of "half of my kingdom" is a common royal trope signifying ultimate generosity, but in Herod's case, it tragically demonstrates his foolish impulsivity and misplaced priorities. This verse starkly contrasts with divine wisdom, where vows are to be made cautiously (Eccl 5:4-5) and Jesus Himself teaches against the practice of frivolous swearing (Matt 5:33-37). Herod, though seemingly respectful of John (Mark 6:20), sacrifices righteousness for personal pride and the desire to uphold his image before his guests and Herodias's demands, highlighting the grave peril of yielding to fleshly desires and external pressures over the divine law and moral integrity. The outcome tragically showcases the consequences of prioritizing human applause over adherence to what is just and true.