24 And she went out and said to her mother , "What shall I ask for?" And she said , "The head of John the Baptist ." 25 Immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked , saying , "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter ." 26 And although the king was very sorry , yet because of his oaths and because of his dinner guests , he was unwilling e to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head . And he went and had him beheaded in the prison , 28 and brought his head on a platter , and gave it to the girl ; and the girl gave it to her mother .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 6:24-28
Commentary on Mark 6:14-29
(Read Mark 6:14-29)
Herod feared John while he lived, and feared him still more when he was dead. Herod did many of those things which John in his preaching taught him; but it is not enough to do many things, we must have respect to all the commandments. Herod respected John, till he touched him in his Herodias. Thus many love good preaching, if it keep far away from their beloved sin. But it is better that sinners persecute ministers now for faithfulness, than curse them eternally for unfaithfulness. The ways of God are unsearchable; but we may be sure he never can be at a loss to repay his servants for what they endure or lose for his sake. Death could not come so as to surprise this holy man; and the triumph of the wicked was short.