COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 65
“ 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; 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. 23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.” . . . .(Mark 6:21-23; 1:14; Matthew 14:6-7)
WHEN A DANCE PROVOKED RASHNESS
INTRODUCTION
We are in the midst of the Spirit’s explanation of the death of John the Baptist. From the standpoint of John himself – an illuminated view – as soon as Jesus appeared on the scene, John’s person and ministry began to decrease. He said of this, “He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all” (John 3:30-31). By “earthly,” John meant things experienced upon earth, as Jesus also used the word in John 3:12 (referring to the new birth). The particular point to which I draw your attention is the “decrease” of John’s prominence among men. How would this take place? By what means would the attention be shifted from John to Jesus? Of course, one of the means was John’s affirmation that Jesus was “the Lamb of God” (), the “Bridegroom” (John 3:29), and “He that cometh from heaven” (John 3:31). The passage we are considering adds another dimension to this matter. John also was made to “decrease” when Herod had incarcerated him, finally killing him. Like Paul the apostle (2 Tim 4:7, when John’s ministry was concluded, he was martyred, glorying God in his death, even as Peter did in his (John 21:19). The life of many a servant of God has ended in this fashion. It is one of the mysterious aspects of the “ways” and “judgments” of God (Rom 11:33).
A CONVENIENT TIME FOR A WICKED WORK
“ Mk 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.”
When we remember that Herod is a vivid portrayal of the flesh, we will gain all the more from the inspired record of some of his deeds. They will not make sense, for “the flesh” is erratic, fickle, unstable, and vacillating. It is noted for being “double minded,” making a person “unstable in all of his ways” (James 1:8). This is precisely why those who are “in the flesh cannot please God” (Rom 8:8), for God is not served by fits and starts, ups and downs, and unpredictable and inconsistent responses. In this text, we will also see that “the flesh” will go out of its way to please men – even though it can sometimes reason that such actions are wrong. It is important to take hold of this, for there is a tendency in the Christian world to be naive and “simple” about the nature of things in this world.
Remember, the man before us “heard of the fame of Jesus” (Matt 14:1), and even “desired to see Him” (Lk 9:9). He also “feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy” man (Mk 6:20). He also listened to John “and heard him gladly” (Mk 6:20b). However, it ought to be observed that Herod never went out to hear John during his ministry, nor did he actively pursue Jesus as, for example, Nicodemus did (John 3:1). At the time of Jesus’ betrayal and imminent death, the vacillating character of Herod was again seen. When Jesus was brought before Herod, he was “glad to see Him,” and “hoped to have seen some miracle done by Him.” However, before the night was over, he joined with “the men of war” in treating Jesus with contempt and mocking Him (Lk 12:8-11).
We should not be deceived when men show a casual interest in Jesus, and desire some limited exposure to Him. Flesh can, like Herod, muster up some sober interest in Jesus, acknowledge when men are holy, and even occasionally enjoy hearing a man of God. However, as we will see, flesh is also quite capable of doing the most wicked things as well. It is this latter tendency that completely voids the former, showing it to be nothing more than a deceptive appearance. There is nothing of lasting genuineness in it.
A CONVENIENT DAY. Other versions read “an opportune day,” NKJV “a strategic day,” NASB “the chance came,” BBE and “a seasonable day.” YLT So far as flesh was concerned, this was when “Herodias’ chance finally came.” NLT She had been nursing a grudge toward John, but had not been able to carry it out (Mk 6:19). That “grudge,” or “quarrel,” KJV did not gradually fade away. It rather festered in her, and grew worse with time. That is the nature of “the flesh.” It is seen in the way in which David’s enemies plotted to get rid of him (Psa 25:19; 119:10; 140:5). Jeremiah’s enemies “devised devices” against him (Jer 11:19; 18:18). Christ’s enemies “sought to kill Him” (John 7:1) – that is, they looked for the chance to carry out their murderous desires. Certain Jews who opposed Paul were found “laying wait in the way to kill him” (Acts 25:3).
In all of these cases, and especially in our text, the wicked looked intently for a time that would give them the advantage – a change to carry out their desires. That is the manner of the flesh. Its desires do not gradually go away, as though if they are neglected long enough, they will simply die. Some, completely oblivious of this nature, actually teach men to abstain from sin by mere habit, thinking that, with time, their sin will weaken and be unable to express itself. Thus they are, as Paul said, “subject to ordinances,” thinking that the secret to triumph is in a habit or a routine(Col 2:20-23). This is a serious error in judgment.
We do not know how long Herodias’ diabolical desire suppurated, or festered, in her heart. But the time finally came when she perceived the circumstance was to her advantage. Her desire had not weakened, but had only grown the worse. Now, it would burst forth in a shrewd and calculating expression. Her chance had come.
It ought to be noted that if we do not “mortify our members that are upon the earth” (Col 3:5), a “convenient day” will finally arrive when they can express themselves and be satisfied. While men may choose to refer to such sins as “making a mistake,” “falling into sin,” or “doing something wrong,” the following is what really has happened. The desires of the flesh, not being crucified, not only grew stronger, but maintained an alert posture, seeking the opportunity to express themselves. When that opportunity arrived, they broke forth unrestrained.
HE MADE A SUPPER. Herod’s birthday arrived, and “was kept” (Matt 14:6), by throwing “a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.” NKJV This would provide an atmosphere that gave the devil the advantage. Pride would become most dominant in Herod. The surrounding nobles would become witnesses to a vile promise he would make, thus making it incumbent, in Herod’s mind, to keep it. A public event in which honor was being bestowed upon Herod gave the flesh the advantage – and Herodias knew it.
It is always dangerous to be in an environment in which undue attention is being given to the flesh. That is an area where Satan is given a “place” (Eph 4:27), and he is provided an “advantage” that enables him to overcome us (2 Cor 2:11). How vigilant we must be (1 Pet 5:8-9).
AN APPEAL TO THE FLESH PROVOKES FOOLISHNESS
“ 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.”
You may remember that a similar feast was thrown by Belshazzar “for a thousand of his lords.” It was at that feast that the Lord caused a hand to write the message of Belshazzar’s demise upon the wall. Before that night was over, the kingdom of Babylon fell and Belshazzar was killed (Dan 5:1-31). I suppose the systematic theologian might postulate that this is the kind of thing that always happens at heathen feasts – that it is a sort of pattern of Divine working. However, this is not at all the case, as our text will confirm.
THE DAUGHTER OF HERODIAS CAME IN. Matthew says, “the daughter of Herodias danced before them” (Matt 14:6). This was not a coincidence. It was a strategy of Herodias – to be more specific, a “device” of the devil. As at the feast of Belshazzar, there had no doubt been a lot of drinking, giving “the flesh” even more advantage. As it is written, “it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any” (Prov 31:4-5). But Gentile kings care not for such wisdom, and were thus noted for their imbibing, and consequent flawed judgment (Dan 5:1,4).
Now, no doubt in an even further weakened state, a young woman comes and dances before the assembly. So far as the flesh was concerned, the night belonged to her. It was a festive occasion. Herod was in a happy and unarmed moral state. He was surrounded by a battery of his politicians and chief men of the city. It was even his birthday! The time was “convenient,” and at the critical point, this young woman entered the room.
A DANCE THAT PLEASED THE FLESH. The word translated “dance” means “patterned rhythmic movements of the whole and/or parts of the body.” LOUW-NIDA This was not a cultured dance, or one like David, who “danced before the Lord with all of his might” (2 Sam 6:14). It was not a dance in which the Lord was praised (Psa 150:4). Rather, this was a provocative dance that stirred up the flesh. It was one purposefully designed to weaken Herod and make him speak foolishly and rashly.
The people of God must realize that the devil will appeal to their moral weaknesses – that is precisely why they cannot afford to keep them, much less nurture them. This is the real reason why the Spirit leads us in mortifying “the deeds of the body” (Rom 8:13-14). More is involved in these “deeds” than simply doing what is wrong. These are like enemies in the promised land, and if we do not rid ourselves of them by the grace of God, they will prove to be “pricks” in our eyes and “thorns” in our side, “vexing” us throughout the entirety of our lives (Num 33:55).
Should the people of God choose to ignore the admonition to “mortify” their “members that are upon the earth” (Col 3:5), it is certain that a day will arrive for them, even as one did for Herod. A time will come when circumstance will be against us, and the “old serpent” will reach through to uncrucified lusts, and move them to sin. The only way to avoid this is to “crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Gal 5:24). To ignore this word is to make sin and falling inevitable. All of this is actually lived out in this text. It is not so much that Herod himself was especially weak – although that it true. He had made a choice to ignore the summons of John the Baptist to repent. He had chosen to not engage in a quest for Jesus, of whom he had heard many things. This put him squarely in the domain of “the flesh,” and of “this present evil world.” That made sin inevitable, unavoidable, and certain, for sin cannot be avoided while choosing to remain in the domain where it thrives! While this may seem very apparent, there is hardly a place in the church-world where this is known with any degree of conviction and confidence. That is the reason why sin appears so unrestrained. It is why people suddenly fall into sin, much to the consternation of all who know them. We should not be ignorant about such things. Transgressors have refused to crucify the flesh and mortify the deeds of the body. They have occupied places in their minds, and perhaps in their bodies as well, where “the flesh” has the upper hand. They have not “put off the old man,” and consequently they have also refused to “put on the new man” (Eph 4:22-24). When a person – any person – gives the opportunity to sin, and the advantage to the devil, sin will erupt.
THE PROMISE OF A WEAKENED MAN. In a moment of personal pleasure Herod said, “Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.” Up to this point, the daughter of Herodias has not asked for anything – she has only “danced.” Her dancing, however, was designed to so weaken Herod that what she asked would, in fact, be granted. Remember, it was her mother who had plotted this whole matter.
Thus, acting with all the cunning of the devil himself, Herodias has manipulated Herod into a place where her objectives can be realized. She could not cause the death of John the Baptist herself, so she will fulfill her desire through weak and vacillating Herod.
SOWING TO THE FLESH
“ 23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.”
There is no record of Herod ever caving in to the desires Herodias’ daughter before this. She was Herodias’ daughter from a former husband, perhaps by Herod’s brother, Philip. Here, this daughter had not pleased Herod because of any respect for him, or for honoring his birthday. She had, at the instigation of her mother, appealed to the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eye, and it had weakened his will. That is what lust does.
HE SWARE UNTO HER. Matthew reads, “Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask” (Matt 14:7). The idea is that Herod first promised to give her whatever she asked, and then “confirmed it with an oath.” This, of course, made the promise sure, leaving no doubt of what Herod would do. As it is written, “For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife” (Heb 6:16).
On Taking Oaths. Some have taken the position that it is always wrong to make an oath or swear. This view is based upon our Lord’s words, “But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” (Mat 5:34-37). However, Jesus was speaking of hasty and deceptive oaths that were designed to promote men’s own will. There are proper oaths, made in good conscience, and for correct reasons. God Himself swore with an “oath” to Abraham (Lk 1:73; Heb 6:13). He also “swore with an oath” to David (Acts 2:30). God also confirmed His promise to the “heirs of the promise” with an “oath” (Heb 6:17-18). He also used an “oath” to confirm Christ was a “Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Heb 7:21,28).
Some examples of oaths taken by Paul include the following: “I would to God” (Acts 26:29), “For God is my witness” (Rom 1:9), “I say the truth in Christ” (Rom 9:1), “I call God for a record upon my soul” (2 Cor 1:23), “The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not” (2 Cor 11:31), “we speak before God in Christ” (2 Cor 12:19), “before God, I lie not” (Gal 1:20), “God is my record” (Phil 1:8), “God is witness” (1 Thess 2:5), “I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not” (1 Tim 2:7), and “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels” (1 Tim 5:21). All of these were appeals to the Lord to attest to the truth of what Paul said. They were not in the category of swearing “by heaven,” or “the earth,” or “Jerusalem,” or one’s “head” (Matt 5:34-36). The motive was the promotion of the truth of God, not carnal self interests.
In our text, Satan is working through Herodias, who is, in turn, working through her daughter. It is Satan who has filled Herod’s heart with such pleasure that he has blurted out a rash oath in the presence of his subordinates – an oath that proved to be impossible to ignore.
UNTO THE HALF OF MY KINGDOM. Here we see the malice of Satan as well as the stupidity of Herod. “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” NKJV This must have been a rather common promise among heathen kings. It is the same promise Ahasuerus made to Esther: “What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom” (Esther 5:3,6; 7:2). With both Ahasuerus and Herod, the promise was that any request would be honored with this single limitation – it could not exceed the person being given one half of the kingdom.
This is also the kind of promise Satan made to Jesus: “And saith unto him, All these things [the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them] will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me” (Matt 4:9).
Now, the words of Solomon will be fulfilled in Herod: “Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth” (Prov 6:2). Again he wrote, “The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips”(Prov 12:13). And again, “A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul” (Prov 18:7). Once again Solomon warned, “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few” (Eccl 5:2).
In the text before us, Herod does not have the faintest idea what the daughter of Herodias will request. He has thrown open a door that he will regret is left standing ajar. This is the manner in which Satan works. Here the adversary of humanity works through Herodias, then her daughter, then Herod the king. In a way, we have here an example of “evil communications” corrupting good manners. Although Herod’s motives were not holy, it was good that he desired to see Jesus. It was also good that he enjoyed hearing John the Baptist speak to him. Both of these were doors of opportunity through which the blessing of the Lord could have been obtained. Instead, he indulged the flesh, and when he did, he went against his own better judgment. That is the nature of the devil and the flesh, through which he works, and we do well to make due note of it. Improper company and displays of the flesh are a duet that will consistently yield bad results.