Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 6:23

"And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom." — Mark 6:23 (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.