Mark 6:24

24 And she, having gone forth, said to her mother, `What shall I ask for myself?' and she said, `The head of John the Baptist;'

Mark 6:24 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 6:24

And she went forth and said unto her mother
The king having made such a promise to her, and annexed his oath to it, she thought proper before she asked any thing of him, to withdraw from the hall and company, and consider with herself, and consult with her mother, who was not at the entertainment; it being not usual in those eastern countries, for women to sit at table, at any grand festival: to whom she reported the offer the king had made, and desired she would be pleased to direct her, what request to make saying,

what shall I ask?
To which her mother made answer, without taking any further time to think of it, being prepared for it, and determined in her mind, whenever she had an opportunity of asking a favour of the king, what it should be:

and she said, the head of John the Baptist.
So sweet is revenge, that to have her will on that great and good man, was more to her, than to have half the king's dominions.

Mark 6:24 In-Context

22 and the daughter of that Herodias having come in, and having danced, and having pleased Herod and those reclining (at meat) with him, the king said to the damsel, `Ask of me whatever thou wilt, and I will give to thee,'

23 and he sware to her -- `Whatever thou mayest ask me, I will give to thee -- unto the half of my kingdom.'

24 And she, having gone forth, said to her mother, `What shall I ask for myself?' and she said, `The head of John the Baptist;'

25 and having come in immediately with haste unto the king, she asked, saying, `I will that thou mayest give me presently, upon a plate, the head of John the Baptist.'

26 And the king -- made very sorrowful -- because of the oaths and of those reclining (at meat) with him, would not put her away,