23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
23 And he promised her with an oath, "Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom."
23 And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom."
23 Carried away, he kept on, "I swear, I'll split my kingdom with you if you say so!"
23 He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom."
23 He even vowed, "I will give you whatever you ask, up to half my kingdom!"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 6:23
Commentary on Mark 6:14-29
(Read Mark 6:14-29)
Herod feared John while he lived, and feared him still more when he was dead. Herod did many of those things which John in his preaching taught him; but it is not enough to do many things, we must have respect to all the commandments. Herod respected John, till he touched him in his Herodias. Thus many love good preaching, if it keep far away from their beloved sin. But it is better that sinners persecute ministers now for faithfulness, than curse them eternally for unfaithfulness. The ways of God are unsearchable; but we may be sure he never can be at a loss to repay his servants for what they endure or lose for his sake. Death could not come so as to surprise this holy man; and the triumph of the wicked was short.