Mark 6:24

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

And {G1161} she went forth {G1831}, and said {G2036} unto her {G846} mother {G3384}, What {G5101} shall I ask {G154}? And {G1161} she said {G2036}, The head {G2776} of John {G2491} the Baptist {G910}.

So she went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She said, "The head of Yochanan the Immerser."

Then she went out and asked her mother, “What should I request?” And her mother answered, “The head of John the Baptist.”

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

Commentary

Mark 6:24 captures a pivotal and chilling moment in the narrative surrounding the death of John the Baptist. Following Herod's impulsive oath to grant Salome, the daughter of Herodias, whatever she desired, this verse reveals the sinister counsel given by Herodias: the demand for John's head. It highlights the dark forces of malice and revenge at play.

Context

This verse immediately follows Herod's rash promise to Salome after her captivating dance during his birthday celebration (Mark 6:22-23). Herodias, Herod Antipas's unlawful wife, harbored a deep-seated grudge against John the Baptist because he had openly condemned their marriage as incestuous and against God's law (Mark 6:17-18). Knowing Herodias's hatred, Salome, upon going "forth" to consult her mother, became an unwitting instrument in a vengeful plot. The mother's immediate and brutal instruction reveals her unyielding desire for the prophet's demise, leveraging her daughter's influence over the king.

Key Themes

  • Malicious Vengeance: The verse vividly portrays Herodias's unchecked hatred and desire for revenge against John. Her immediate and specific instruction to Salome demonstrates a calculated malice that ultimately leads to the prophet's martyrdom.
  • Moral Corruption and Weakness: While not directly about Herod, this verse sets up the tragic outcome. Herodias's influence over her daughter, and subsequently over Herod, underscores the moral decay within Herod's court and the dangerous consequences of a ruler's weakness when confronted with evil counsel.
  • The Cost of Truth: John the Baptist's unwavering commitment to speaking God's truth, even to those in power, ultimately cost him his life. This verse is a stark reminder of the opposition truth-tellers can face (as Jesus warned his disciples).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "What shall I ask?" (Greek: Ti aitēsō?) is a simple, direct question from Salome, reflecting her inexperience or perhaps her awareness of the gravity of the situation. Her mother's equally direct and chilling response, "The head of John the Baptist" (Greek: Tēn kephalēn Iōannou tou Baptēstou), leaves no room for ambiguity. The immediacy of Herodias's answer, without hesitation, underscores the depth of her animosity and the pre-meditated nature of her desire to silence the prophet.

Practical Application

Mark 6:24 offers several sobering lessons for contemporary life:

  • Guard Against Bitterness: Herodias's story is a powerful warning about the destructive power of unresolved anger and bitterness. Unchecked resentment can lead to extreme and tragic actions, consuming not only the individual but also those around them.
  • Stand for Truth: John the Baptist's example, though leading to his death, reminds believers of the importance of speaking truth to power and upholding God's moral standards, even when it is unpopular or dangerous.
  • Beware of Manipulation: The interaction between Herodias and Salome illustrates how individuals can be manipulated for another's malicious agenda. It highlights the need for discernment and moral courage to resist being used for unrighteous purposes.

This verse serves as a grim prelude to the execution of one of God's greatest prophets, emphasizing the spiritual warfare between light and darkness, truth and deceit, that is ever-present in the world.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 19:2

    And say, What [is] thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among young lions.

  • Ezekiel 19:3

    And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey; it devoured men.

  • Genesis 27:8

    Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.

  • Genesis 27:11

    And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother [is] a hairy man, and I [am] a smooth man:

  • 2 Chronicles 22:3

    He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly.

  • 2 Chronicles 22:4

    Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.

  • Job 31:31

    If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.
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