Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 14:6

"But when Herod`s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod." — Matthew 14:6 (ASV)

There is no harm in keeping birthdays, but great harm lies in lewd dances or in any other activities which suggest evil. Salome was a true “daughter of Herodias.” She forgot her rank and danced before the court in the lascivious fashion of the age, to gratify a probably drunken monarch. She “pleased Herod,” her mother’s paramour, and we can readily guess the kind of dancing which would please him.

In these days, mothers too often encourage their daughters in dress which is hardly decent and introduce them to dances which are not commendable for their purity. No good can come of this; it may please the Herods, but it displeases God. In this case, dancing led to a cruel crime, and it is to be feared that in many instances gross immoralities have arisen from dances which suggested uncleanness.