Mark 6:23
New International Version
And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

New Living Translation
He even vowed, “I will give you whatever you ask, up to half my kingdom!”

English Standard Version
And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”

Berean Standard Bible
And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom!”

Berean Literal Bible
And he swore to her, "Whatever you might ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom."

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

New King James Version
He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

New American Standard Bible
And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you, up to half of my kingdom.”

NASB 1995
And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom.”

NASB 1977
And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom.”

Amplified Bible
And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom.”

Christian Standard Bible
He promised her with an oath: “Whatever you ask me I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So he swore oaths to her: “Whatever you ask me I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

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

Contemporary English Version
I swear that I will give you as much as half of my kingdom, if you want it."

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He swore an oath to her: "I'll give you anything you ask for, up to half of my kingdom."

Good News Translation
With many vows he said to her, "I swear that I will give you anything you ask for, even as much as half my kingdom!"

International Standard Version
He swore with an oath to her, "I'll give you anything you ask for, up to half of my kingdom."

Majority Standard Bible
And he swore to her, ?Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom!?

NET Bible
He swore to her, "Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom."

New Heart English Bible
And he swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he swore to her, Whatever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, to the half of my kingdom.

Weymouth New Testament
He even swore to her, "Whatever you ask me for I will give you, up to half my kingdom."

World English Bible
He swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he swore to her, “Whatever you may ask me, I will give to you—to the half of my kingdom.”

Berean Literal Bible
And he swore to her, "Whatever you might ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom."

Young's Literal Translation
and he sware to her -- 'Whatever thou mayest ask me, I will give to thee -- unto the half of my kingdom.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he swore to her, That whatever thou shouldest ask, I will give thee, even to half my kingdom.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he swore to her: Whatsoever thou shalt ask I will give thee, though it be the half of my kingdom.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he swore to her, “Anything that you request, I will give to you, even up to half my kingdom.”

New American Bible
He even swore [many things] to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.”

New Revised Standard Version
And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he swore to her, Whatever you ask me, I will give you, as much as half of my kingdom.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he swore to her, “Anything that you shall ask, I shall give to you, unto the half of my Kingdom.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he swore to her: What ever you ask, I will give you, to the half of my kingdom.

Godbey New Testament
And he promised her, I will give you whatsoever you may ask, even unto the half of my kingdom.

Haweis New Testament
And he swore unto her, That whatsoever thou shalt ask, I will give thee, even to the half of my kingdom.

Mace New Testament
nay, he ratified his promise with an oath, "I will give you whatever you require, said he, tho' it be even the half of my kingdom."

Weymouth New Testament
He even swore to her, "Whatever you ask me for I will give you, up to half my kingdom."

Worrell New Testament
And he swore to her, "Whatsoever you ask of me, I will give it to you, unto half of my kingdom."

Worsley New Testament
And he gave her his oath too, whatever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, even to the half of my kingdom.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Beheading of John
22When the daughter of Herodias came and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests, and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” 23And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom!” 24Then she went out and asked her mother, “What should I request?” And her mother answered, “The head of John the Baptist.”…

Cross References
Matthew 14:7
so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked.

Esther 5:3
“What is it, Queen Esther?” the king inquired. “What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.”

Esther 5:6
And as they drank their wine, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be fulfilled.”

Esther 7:2
and as they drank their wine on that second day, the king asked once more, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be fulfilled.”

1 Samuel 28:10
Then Saul swore to her by the LORD: “As surely as the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this.”

1 Kings 1:13-14
Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ / Then, while you are still there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.”

1 Kings 2:20
“I have just one small request of you,” she said. “Do not deny me.” “Make your request, my mother,” the king replied, “for I will not deny you.”

Daniel 5:16
But I have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”

Daniel 5:29
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

Judges 11:30-31
Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand, / then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

Judges 11:35
As soon as Jephthah saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “No! Not my daughter! You have brought me to my knees! You have brought great misery upon me, for I have given my word to the LORD and cannot take it back.”

Matthew 5:33-37
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ...

Matthew 23:16-22
Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ / You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? / And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ ...

Acts 23:12-14
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.

Acts 23:21
Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.”


Treasury of Scripture

And he swore to her, Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give it you, to the half of my kingdom.

he.

1 Samuel 28:10
And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

2 Kings 6:31
Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.

Matthew 5:34-37
But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: …

Whatsoever.

Esther 5:3,6
Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom…

Esther 7:2
And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.

Proverbs 6:2
Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

Jump to Previous
Desire Half Kingdom Mayest Oath Promised Sware Swore Vowed Whatever Whatsoever
Jump to Next
Desire Half Kingdom Mayest Oath Promised Sware Swore Vowed Whatever Whatsoever
Mark 6
1. Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country.
7. He gives the twelve power over unclean spirits.
14. Various opinions of Jesus.
16. John the Baptist is imprisoned, beheaded, and buried.
30. The apostles return from preaching.
34. The miracle of five loaves and two fishes.
45. Jesus walks on the sea;
53. and heals all who touch him.














And he swore to her
This phrase indicates a solemn promise made by Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. Swearing an oath was a serious matter in Jewish culture, often invoking God's name as a witness to the promise. Herod's oath reflects the gravity of his commitment, despite the impulsive nature of the promise. In biblical context, oaths were binding and breaking them was considered sinful (Numbers 30:2). Herod's oath also highlights his desire to impress his guests and maintain his honor, a common cultural value in the Greco-Roman world.

“Whatever you ask of me
This open-ended offer demonstrates Herod's reckless generosity and perhaps his intoxication or desire to please. It echoes the story of King Ahasuerus and Queen Esther, where the king offers Esther anything she desires, up to half his kingdom (Esther 5:3). This parallel may suggest a typological connection, where Herod's offer, unlike Ahasuerus's, leads to a tragic outcome. The phrase underscores the potential danger of making promises without considering the consequences.

I will give you
Herod's promise to give whatever is asked shows his willingness to fulfill his oath, reflecting the importance of honor and reputation in his position. This phrase also highlights the power dynamics at play, as Herod, a ruler, is offering a significant reward to Salome, the daughter of Herodias. The cultural context of patronage and reciprocity in the ancient world is evident here, where rulers often granted favors to secure loyalty and support.

up to half my kingdom!”
This hyperbolic expression is not meant to be taken literally, as Herod was a tetrarch under Roman authority and did not possess the power to divide his territory. It serves to emphasize the extent of his promise and his desire to appear magnanimous. The phrase reflects the influence of Hellenistic culture, where such grandiose offers were part of royal rhetoric. It also foreshadows the tragic request that Salome, prompted by her mother Herodias, will make, leading to the beheading of John the Baptist. This event fulfills the prophecy of John as the forerunner to Christ, whose own death would follow a path of suffering and sacrifice.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Herod Antipas
The ruler of Galilee and Perea, known for his moral weaknesses and political maneuvering. He is the one making the oath in this verse.

2. Herodias
The wife of Herod Antipas, previously married to his brother Philip. Herodias harbored a grudge against John the Baptist for condemning her marriage to Herod.

3. Salome
The daughter of Herodias, who danced for Herod and his guests, leading to Herod's extravagant promise.

4. John the Baptist
A prophet who boldly spoke against Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias, ultimately leading to his imprisonment and execution.

5. The Banquet
A lavish event hosted by Herod, where he made the rash promise to Salome, influenced by the presence of his high-ranking guests.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Rash Promises
Herod's impulsive vow serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of making hasty commitments without considering the moral and ethical implications.

The Influence of Peer Pressure
Herod's decision was influenced by the presence of his guests, reminding us of the power of peer pressure and the importance of standing firm in our convictions.

The Cost of Pride and Fear of Man
Herod's pride and fear of losing face led him to fulfill a promise that resulted in an unjust act. This teaches us to prioritize righteousness over reputation.

The Consequences of Sinful Relationships
Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias set off a chain of events leading to sin and tragedy, illustrating the far-reaching effects of disobedience to God's laws.

The Importance of Godly Counsel
Unlike Herod, who was surrounded by sycophants, we should seek wise and godly counsel to guide our decisions and actions.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

he swore
ὤμοσεν (ōmosen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3660: A prolonged form of a primary, but obsolete omo, for which another prolonged form omoo is used in certain tenses; to swear, i.e. Take oath.

to her,
αὐτῇ (autē)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“Whatever
Πολλά (Polla)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

you ask
αἰτήσῃς (aitēsēs)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 154: To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.

of me,
με (me)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

I will give
δώσω (dōsō)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

you,
σοι (soi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

up to
ἕως (heōs)
Preposition
Strong's 2193: A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.

half
ἡμίσους (hēmisous)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2255: Half. Neuter of a derivative from an inseparable prefix akin to hama and meaning semi-; half.

my
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

kingdom!”
βασιλείας (basileias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.


Links
Mark 6:23 NIV
Mark 6:23 NLT
Mark 6:23 ESV
Mark 6:23 NASB
Mark 6:23 KJV

Mark 6:23 BibleApps.com
Mark 6:23 Biblia Paralela
Mark 6:23 Chinese Bible
Mark 6:23 French Bible
Mark 6:23 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Mark 6:23 He swore to her Whatever you shall (Mar Mk Mr)
Mark 6:22
Top of Page
Top of Page