And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
And {G2532} she came in {G1525} straightway {G2112} with {G3326} haste {G4710} unto {G4314} the king {G935}, and asked {G154}, saying {G3004}, I will {G2309} that {G2443} thou give {G1325} me {G3427} by and by {G1824} in {G1909} a charger {G4094} the head {G2776} of John {G2491} the Baptist {G910}.
At once the daughter hurried back to the king and announced her request: "I want you to give me right now on a platter the head of Yochanan the Immerser."
At once the girl hurried back to the king with her request: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.”
And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou forthwith give me on a platter the head of John the Baptist.
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Proverbs 1:16
For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. -
Numbers 7:19
He offered [for] his offering one silver charger, the weight whereof [was] an hundred and thirty [shekels], one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: -
Numbers 7:89
And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that [was] upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him. -
Numbers 7:13
And his offering [was] one silver charger, the weight thereof [was] an hundred and thirty [shekels], one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them [were] full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: -
Romans 3:15
Their feet [are] swift to shed blood:
Mark 6:25 vividly describes the shocking and immediate demand made by Salome, the daughter of Herodias, following her dance before King Herod Antipas. This verse marks the chilling climax of a plot driven by malice and a rash oath, leading directly to the execution of one of history's most significant prophets.
Context
This verse is situated within the tragic narrative of John the Baptist's imprisonment and death. Herod had arrested John because John had publicly condemned Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife (see Mark 6:17-18). Herodias harbored a deep-seated grudge against John and sought an opportunity for revenge. That opportunity arose during Herod’s birthday celebration. After Salome's captivating dance, Herod, in a moment of drunken exuberance and pride, made a public, binding oath to give her anything she desired, up to half his kingdom (Mark 6:23). Prompted by her vengeful mother, Salome returns with this precise and horrific request.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV uses the phrase "straightway with haste," which in the Greek is euthys meta spoudes (εὐθὺς μετὰ σπουδῆς), emphasizing the immediate and urgent nature of her return and request. The phrase "by and by" is an archaic English idiom meaning "immediately" or "forthwith," not "eventually" as it might imply today. The term "charger" (Greek: pinax, πίναξ) refers to a large platter or dish, underscoring the gruesome nature of the requested delivery.
Practical Application
Mark 6:25 serves as a stark reminder of several timeless truths. It warns against the destructive nature of hatred and the dangers of allowing personal grudges to fester. It also highlights the importance of integrity, even when speaking truth is unpopular or dangerous. Furthermore, it cautions against making impulsive commitments, especially those that could compromise moral principles or lead to irreparable harm. The narrative encourages believers to cultivate wisdom and discretion in all their dealings, rather than being swayed by momentary pressures or selfish desires.