But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

MATTHEW 14:6KJV
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Matthew 14:6 (KJV)

What does Matthew 14:6 mean?

Matthew 14:6 describes how, during a celebration for Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance in front of the guests, which greatly pleased Herod. This event sets the stage for the events that follow in the story.

In this verse, the Gospel writer Matthew is narrating what happened at Herod Antipas's birthday party. Herodias’s daughter (traditionally known as Salome, though not named here) entertains the assembled guests with a dance. The verse highlights the festive setting and Herod’s favorable reaction, which becomes important for understanding the decisions he makes in the following verses.

The Greek behind Matthew 14:6

  • The word for "birthday" is γενέσια (genesia), which refers specifically to a birthday celebration or festival. This shows that the event was a formal and possibly lavish occasion.
  • The word for "danced" is ὀρχέομαι (orcheomai), meaning to dance, often in a performance sense. This suggests the dance was not casual but intended to entertain and impress the guests.
  • The word for "pleased" is ἀρέσκω (areskō), which means to please or satisfy. In this context, it implies that Herod was not just entertained but was favorably impressed, which influences his later actions.

Why Matthew 14:6 matters

  • This verse explains the circumstances that lead to Herod making a rash promise, which results in the execution of John the Baptist in the following verses.
  • The detail that Herod was pleased by the dance helps readers understand why he was willing to grant the dancer a significant request, showing how personal emotions can influence powerful decisions.
  • The mention of Herodias’s daughter connects the story to the ongoing conflict between John the Baptist and Herod’s family, highlighting the tangled relationships and motivations at play.

Where else these words appear

“birthday” Greek G1077 · used in 2 verses

  • Mark 6:21 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;

“danced” Greek G3738 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 11:17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
  • Mark 6:22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
  • Luke 7:32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

“Herodias” Greek G2266 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 14:3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
  • Mark 6:17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.
  • Mark 6:22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

“pleased” Greek G700 · used in 16 verses

  • Mark 6:22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
  • Romans 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
  • Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.