Salome Danced for the Head of John the Baptist
This woman was never named in the Scriptures. Salome was the daughter of Herodias and Herod Philip one of the sons of Herod the Great. It was according to Josephus that Herodias bore to her first husband a daughter, whom Josephus says was named Salome.
Matthew 14:6–11; Mark 6:22–28
Salome was the daughter of Herodias and Herod Philip one of the sons of Herod the Great. When Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Salome danced before the king and pleased him greatly. He offered to give her anything she wanted. At her mother’s urging, Salome asked for John the Baptist’s head on a platter. (Matthew 14:6–8). According to Josephus Herodias bore to her first husband a daughter, whom Josephus says was named Salome. While Herod Antipas was visiting the residence of his half-brother Herod Philip, Herodias became interested in Antipas and agreed to divorce Philip for Antipas. (Witherington, 1992,pg 175).
When king said unto Salome, that she could ask of him whatsoever she will and he would give it to her. King Herod swore he would give to her half of his kingdom. (Mark 6:22-23).
Salome immediately asked her mother, Herodias, what she should ask for. Immediately Herodias told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist. (Mark 6:24).
Salome was probably a young woman who was of marriageable age. She has been trained to dance provocatively to please King Herod and his guests. She had to ask her mother what she should ask the king for. She could not make up her own mind and had to turn to her mother for guidance.
All she needed to hear was what her mother expected and she did not hesitate to go into the king, and ask for the head of John the Baptist on a charger. King Herod was exceeding sorry he had to abide by his oath and immediately sent an executioner, and commanded the head of John the Baptist be brought to him from prison. Upon receiving the head of John the Baptist, he gave it to Salome, who gave it to her mother. (Mark 6:25–28).
Salome was asked to dance or entertain the men who were invited to the king’s birthday party. The only women to be found at such gatherings were considered to be “evil” women. When King Herod requested Salome to dance for him he showed his lustful desire for her. That is probably why he offered to give her up to half of his kingdom. The question then become if Salome was to blame or was her mother, Herodias, or King Herod to be blamed for the blood shed of John the Baptist.
Reference:
Witherington, Ben III. (1992). “Herodias (Person),” ed. David Noel Freedman, The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary. New York: Doubleday.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Salome Danced for the Head of John the Baptist:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2015.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2123,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015, January) “Salome Danced for the Head of John the Baptist:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2123,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015) “Salome Danced for the Head of John the Baptist:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2123, (accessed).
