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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mar_6:17-29
17For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her. 18For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death and could not do so; 20for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him. 21A strategic day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his lords and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee; 22and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you." 23And he swore to her, "Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom." 24And she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist." 25Immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26And although the king was very sorry, yet because of his oaths and because of his dinner guests, he was unwilling to refuse her. 27Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and had him beheaded in the prison, 28and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29When his disciples heard about this, they came and took away his body and laid it in a tomb.
Mar_6:17-29 This is out of chronological sequence. It was inserted to explain Mar_6:14.
Mar_6:17 "Herodias" She had been the wife of Philip, the brother of Herod Antipas (cf. Mat_14:3). They had lived in Rome. She was also Antipas' niece through Aristobulus. Antipas had wooed her away from Philip and married her.
According to Josephus (i.e., Antiquities of the Jews 18.5.4), Herodias was married to Herod the Great's son, Herod (whose mother was Marianne, the high priest's daughter). He also says Herodias' daughter, Salome, later married Philip. It is possible that Herod was known as Herod Philip.
Mar_6:18 This relationship violated Lev_18:16; Lev_20:21.
Mar_6:19 "Herodias had a grudge against him" This is imperfect tense. She must have brought the subject up again and again to Herod Antipas. Herod kept (imperfect tense) him safe from her (Mar_6:20).
Mar_6:20 "Herod was afraid of John" This fear was because John was a holy man. Mat_14:4 says he feared John's popularity with the people. Herod was a fearful person. He feared John, Herodias, and his guests—too bad he did not fear God!
Mar_6:21 There are three groups of guests: (1) civil authorities; (2) military authorities; and (3) local wealthy and influential leaders.
▣ "when he heard him" Herod either called for John or went to his cell at Machaerus (i.e., on the eastern side of the Dead Sea, cf. Josephus' Antiquities 18.5.2).
▣ "he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him" This shows the paradox of a man drawn to the truth, yet rejecting the light (cf. Joh_3:19-21).
▣ Herodias waited until just the right moment—a public gathering, a drunken party, a lustful dance, and an outrageous promise—to force Herod's hand to do her bidding.
Mar_6:22 "the daughter of Herodias" She was called Salome by Josephus, the daughter of Philip.
▣ "danced" It was not common for woman of her social status to dance at this type of gathering. These sensual dances were usually done by prostitutes or professional dancers.
▣ "'Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you'" Herod said this in the presence of his administrative officials and could not take it back (cf. Mar_6:21; Mar_6:26).
Mar_6:23 "he swore to her" He used God's name to assure his believability.
Mar_6:24 This verse confirms her mother's ulterior motives and plot (cf. Mar_6:28 b).
Mar_6:26 Herod's need to impress his friends and family overshadowed his fear (perilupos, which implies exceeding sorrow, cf. Mat_26:38; Mar_14:34).
Mar_6:27 "executioner" This is a Latin term for his special bodyguards. It originally referred to a spy, but came to be used of an executioner (i.e., Seneca). Mark has more Latin terms and phrases than any other Gospel. It was probably written specifically to Romans.
▣ "in the prison" In Antiquities 18.5.2 Josephus tells us it was Herod's fort named Machaerus, which was near the Dead Sea in Moab.
Mar_6:29 John the Baptist was obviously in the will of God. Yet his ministry only lasted about eighteen months. Although the actual cause of his death was the scheming of an evil woman, God is in control of history for His purposes. This verse also reflects the Jewish concern for a proper burial.