Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 6:22

"and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and them that sat at meat with him; and the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee." — Mark 6:22 (ASV)

Herodias finally got the opportunity she was waiting for. At a banquet for Herod’s birthday, attended by military and political leaders, Herodias’s daughter went before the guests to dance. Likely Herodias sent her into the banquet hall to dance as part of her scheme to get rid of John the Baptist. The dance was probably a lewd one. Herod and his dinner guests were pleased with her performance—so much so that Herod offered her virtually anything she wanted as a reward.