Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 14:8

"And she, being put forward by her mother, saith, Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." — Matthew 14:8 (ASV)

The whole thing was planned between this shameless mother and daughter, who both knew Herod’s weak points and how to handle him. The mother set her daughter dancing and then put the request into her mouth. She was of her mother’s nature and readily carried out that wicked woman’s instructions.

No doubt Herodias was more enraged than Herod at what the Baptist had dared to say, for it is usually the case that the female offender is most angered by a rebuke of such sin. Sad that from noble Maccabean blood such a female monster should have arisen! She must have John Baptist’s head upon a dish. The mention of the details shows the cold-blooded character of the demand. As if it were a delicacy for her, the prophet’s head must be served up on a platter.