And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

MARK 6:24KJV
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Mark 6:24 (KJV)

What does Mark 6:24 mean?

Mark 6:24 shows the daughter of Herodias asking her mother what she should request as a reward after pleasing King Herod with her dance, and her mother tells her to ask for the head of John the Baptist. This verse reveals the moment when Herodias seizes the opportunity to act against John the Baptist through her daughter.

The scene takes place during a banquet held by Herod. The young woman (traditionally called Salome, though not named here) has just danced before Herod and his guests, greatly pleasing them. Herod, in front of everyone, has promised to give her whatever she asks. Unsure what to request, she consults her mother, Herodias, who has long held a grudge against John the Baptist for speaking against her marriage to Herod. Herodias tells her daughter to ask for John's execution, setting in motion the events that follow.

The Greek behind Mark 6:24

  • "ἐξῆλθεν" (exēlthen, "went forth"): This word often means to go out from one place to another, emphasizing the daughter's movement from the banquet to her mother, showing her dependence on her mother’s guidance.
  • "τί" (ti, "What"): This is a direct question word, highlighting the daughter's uncertainty and lack of her own plan, which puts the focus on Herodias’s influence.
  • "αἰτήσωμαι" (aitēsōmai, "shall I ask"): The verb here is in a form that suggests a request or petition, not just a casual question, underlining the seriousness of the promise and the request to be made.
  • "κεφαλὴν" (kephalēn, "head"): This word is used literally here, making clear the violent and final nature of Herodias’s demand.

Why Mark 6:24 matters

  • Mark 6:24 clarifies that the idea to ask for John the Baptist’s head did not come from the daughter, but from her mother, Herodias, showing who was truly behind the plot.
  • The verse highlights the calculated nature of Herodias’s actions and her willingness to use her daughter to achieve her goal.
  • This moment connects directly to the following verses, which describe John’s execution, and it explains why Herod, though reluctant, ends up ordering John’s death.

Where else these words appear

“Baptist” Greek G910 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • Matthew 14:8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
  • Mark 8:28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

“ask” Greek G154 · used in 68 verses

  • Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
  • Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
  • Acts 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

“head” Greek G2776 · used in 68 verses

  • Matthew 5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
  • Luke 9:58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
  • Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

“mother” Greek G3384 · used in 79 verses

  • Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
  • Mark 3:32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.
  • Luke 8:21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.