King James Version

What Does Mark 6:22 Mean?

Mark 6:22 in the King James Version says “And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king s...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

20

For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. observed him: or, kept him, or, saved him

21

And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;

22

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.

23

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

24

And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Herodias executes her plot through her daughter's provocative performance. 'The daughter of Herodias came in and danced' (εἰσελθούσης τῆς θυγατρὸς αὐτοῦ Ἡρῳδιάδος καὶ ὀρχησαμένης, eiselthousēs tēs thygatros autou Hērōdiados kai orchēsamenēs)—Josephus identifies her as Salome. Her entrance into the all-male banquet violated social norms; her dancing was likely sensual, not cultural folk dance. This was calculated seduction orchestrated by her mother.

'Pleased Herod and them that sat with him' (ἤρεσεν τῷ Ἡρῴδῃ καὶ τοῖς συνανακειμένοις, ēresen tō Hērōdē kai tois synanakeimenois) indicates sexual arousal from erotic performance. 'The king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee' (εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ κορασίῳ· Αἴτησόν με ὃ ἐὰν θέλῃς, καὶ δώσω σοι, eipen ho basileus tō korasiō: Aitēson me ho ean thelēs, kai dōsō soi)—rash promise made under influence of lust, wine, and male pride before witnesses. This foolish vow, like Jephthah's (Judges 11), produced tragic consequences. The scene illustrates how sexual sin, compromised integrity, and public pride create circumstances leading to greater evil.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Salome was Herodias's daughter by her first husband (Herod, son of Herod the Great), making her Herod Antipas's niece and step-daughter. She was likely young teenager at this time. Dancing by aristocratic women at male banquets was considered scandalous in both Jewish and proper Roman society—professional entertainers danced at such events, not noblewomen's daughters. Herodias's willingness to use her daughter this way reveals her moral corruption and ruthless ambition. The dance was likely similar to performances by hired dancers—sensual, provocative, designed to arouse. Ancient sources describe banquet entertainment including music, dancing, and various performances. Herod's extravagant promise ('whatsoever thou wilt') followed Eastern royal tradition of displaying generosity before nobles (cf. Esther 5:3; 7:2). However, such promises typically had implicit limits—no one expected literal fulfillment of 'anything.' Early church fathers condemned both Herodias's manipulation and Herod's foolish vow, warning against rash oaths made in moments of passion or pride. This narrative became cautionary tale about sexual sin's progression: adultery (Herodias's marriage) leading to murder (John's execution).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this scene's progression from adultery through sexual manipulation to murder illustrate sin's escalating nature when not confessed and forsaken?
  2. What does Herod's rash promise under influence of lust and pride teach about the danger of public commitments made without sober reflection?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
καὶ1 of 29

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἰσελθούσης2 of 29

“came in”

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

τῆς3 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θυγατρὸς4 of 29

“when the daughter”

G2364

a female child, or (by hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)

αὐτῆς5 of 29

“of the said”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τῆς6 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἡρῳδιάδος7 of 29

“Herodias”

G2266

herodias, a woman of the heodian family

καὶ8 of 29

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὀρχησαμένης9 of 29

“danced”

G3738

to dance (from the ranklike or regular motion)

καὶ10 of 29

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἄρεσασης,11 of 29

“pleased”

G700

to be agreeable (or by implication, to seek to be so)

τῷ12 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἡρῴδῃ13 of 29

“Herod”

G2264

heroic; herod, the name of four jewish kings

καὶ14 of 29

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῖς15 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

συνανακειμένοις16 of 29

“them that sat with him”

G4873

to recline in company with (at a meal)

εἶπεν17 of 29

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

ὁ18 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλεὺς19 of 29

“the king”

G935

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

τῷ20 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κορασίῳ21 of 29

“unto the damsel”

G2877

a (little) girl

Αἴτησόν22 of 29

“Ask”

G154

to ask (in genitive case)

με23 of 29

“of me”

G3165

me

ὃ24 of 29
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐὰν25 of 29

“whatsoever”

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

θέλῃς26 of 29

“thou wilt”

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

καὶ27 of 29

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

δώσω28 of 29

“I will give”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

σοι·29 of 29

“it thee”

G4671

to thee

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 6:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 6:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Esther 1:10-12Daniel 5:2Matthew 14:6Isaiah 3:16-26

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