Daily Devotions
Mark
1 Peter 5:12 "By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand."
Day 142 – Mark 6
“By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.” 1 Peter 5:12
THE CARTE BLANCH OFFER TO HERODIAS’ DAUGHTER
Herod’s words to Herodias’ daughter must have stunned everyone at the feast. He had given her an unheard of offer! Would he actually give her half his kingdom? Were these but words of a drunken man?
WELL-LAID PLANS
Close consultation took place between Herodias and her daughter. Herodias must have anticipated Antipas’ response. She knew him far better than he understood her. Herod may have liked John, not Herodias. The following text describes the animosity she felt towards John the Baptist.
“Because John had said to Herod,
‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’
Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him
but she could not.”
MARK 6:18-19
Herodias had plotted and planned for this “opportune day” (Mark 6:21)! This opportunity must be seized for it would probably never come again. Herodias’ daughter went to her mother to ask what she ought to make out of the offer of King Herod Antipas.
“So she went out and said to her mother,
‘What should I ask?’
And she said, ‘The head of John the Baptist.'”
MARK 6:24
1. Half the kingdom offered
This offer was not even considered. No thought was given to it at all!
2. The head of John the Baptist
Herodias’s hatred for John was so deep and intense that even half of Palestine was not deemed attractive enough.
THE REQUEST MADE TO KING HEROD ANTIPAS
In his wildest dreams, Herod could not have anticipated the devious plans laid by his wife Herodias. Her daughter returned to the banqueting hall and then presented her request formally.
“Immediately she came in with haste to the king
And asked, saying, ‘I want you to give me at once
the head of John the Baptist on a platter.'”
MARK 6:25
Herodias left nothing to chance! She wanted John executed immediately. Just in case, Herod Antipas tried to get out of this awkward situation, she wanted John’s head delivered on a platter.