Devine Scripture

Mark 6:24

What does Mark 6:24 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 6:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 6:24 means

Mark 6:24 shows the daughter consulting her mother about what to ask, and Herodias directing her to request the head of John the Baptizer. This chilling exchange reveals Herodias’ vindictive intent and the calculated use of her daughter to achieve it. The mother’s prompt choice—John’s head—exposes deep malice toward the prophet who shamed her. The verse illustrates how ambition and revenge can corrupt even intimate family relations, turning a child into an instrument of lethal vengeance. It marks the definitive moment when private animosity becomes public violence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And she went out and said to her mother, What is my request to be? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Who when she was gone out, said to her mother, What shall I ask? But her mother said: The head of John the Baptist.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And she went out, and said to her mother, What should I ask? And she said, The head of John the baptist.

Context

Following Herod’s oath (verse 23), this verse reveals the lethal request that will be made. The mother’s involvement shows premeditation and the manipulation of a social ritual for revenge. The detail that the daughter consults her mother and then follows her direction shows Herodias’ central role. The verse leads immediately to the daughter’s horrendous public request in verse 25 and Herod’s forced compliance in verses 26–28.

v.23And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

v.24This passage

v.25And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou forthwith give me on a platter the head of John the Baptist.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ezekiel 19:2

    and say, What was thy mother? A lioness: she couched among lions, in the midst of the young lions she nourished her whelps.

  • Acts 23:12

    And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

  • Proverbs 27:3

    A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; But a fool’s vexation is heavier than they both.

  • Psalms 37:14

    The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay such as are upright in the way.

  • Psalms 37:12

    The wicked plotteth against the just, And gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

  • Matthew 14:8

    And she, being put forward by her mother, saith, Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Mark 6

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Mark 6.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Mark 6:24.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary