21 A strategic day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his lords and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee ; 22 and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced , she pleased Herod and his dinner guests ; and the king said to the girl , "Ask me for whatever e you want and I will give it to you." 23 And he swore to her, "Whatever e you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom ." 24 And she went out and said to her mother , "What shall I ask for?" And she said , "The head of John the Baptist ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 6:21-24
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.