Mark 6:22
What does Mark 6:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 6:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 6:22 means
Mark 6:22 reports that Herodias’ daughter danced and pleased Herod and his guests. Her dance becomes the pivotal moment of the banquet: it delights the host and those present, prompting an extravagant offer. The daughter’s performance is used by her mother as a means to an end—access to the king’s favor. The verse shows how entertainment, flattery, and political spectacle can be manipulated to serve revenge. The simple act of dancing thus becomes the instrument of a deadly demand, revealing the dangers of mixing pleasure and power without moral restraint.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and them that sat at meat with him; and the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and them that sat at meat with him; and the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and did a dance, Herod and those who were at table with him were pleased with her; and the king said to the girl, Make a request for anything and I will give it you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and 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,'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when the daughter of the same Herodias had come in, and had danced, and pleased Herod, and them that were at table with him, the king said to the damsel: Ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and the daughter of the same Herodias having come in, and danced, pleased Herod and those that were with [him] at table; and the king said to the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt and I will give it thee.
Context
This verse follows the banquet setup in verse 21 and moves the narrative to its turning point. The daughter’s dance charms Herod, setting up his impulsive promise. Understanding that the dance pleased the crowd explains why Herod made extravagant offers in the next verse. The scene leads directly into the tragic bargain that will result in John’s beheading, exposing the interplay of personal weakness and political pressure.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 3:16
Moreover Jehovah said, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with outstretched necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet;
- Esther 1:10
On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that ministered in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
- Daniel 5:2
Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, might drink therefrom.
- Matthew 14:6
But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod.
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