Matthew 14:8 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And she, being before instructed— Being before urged. Doddridge. When the plot had thus succeeded, and Salome had obtained the king's promise, she went out to consult with her mother, who immediately disclosed her purpose, bidding her ask the Baptist's head. A counsel of this kind, no doubt, surprised Salome, for she could not see of what use the head could be to her; besides, she might think the demand improper, as their quarrel with the Baptist, and the cause of it, were universally known; not to mention, that when she consented to dance, it was natural to imagine her fancy had been running on very different subjects: Probably, therefore, at the first she scrupled to comply, as may be gathered also from the force of the word προβιβασθεισα, (rendered in our version before instructed), by which St. Matthew expresses the effect that her mother's solicitation had upon her. According to Hesychius, the Greek word προσβαζειν, signifies to urge, excite, or impel; and consequently supposes reluctance in the person urged. Herodias, however, full of the fiercest resentment against the holy man, would take no denial. She peremptorily insisted that her counsel should be followed, without question representing to her daughter that John had attempted to expel and ruin them both; and that, considering the opinion which the king still entertained of him, he might sometime or other, though in irons, regain Herod's favour, and accomplish his design; for which reason, the present opportunity of taking away his life was not to be neglected, if she regarded her own safety. These and the like arguments wrought up Salome to such a pitch, that she not only consented to do as she was bidden, but became hearty in the cause; for we read in Mark 6:25. (where the narration is by far the most circumstantial, and very animated) that she came in ευθεως μετα σπουδης, immediately, with eagerness; and while all the guests sat mute, expecting what mighty thing would be asked, she demanded the holy Baptist's head, as of greater value to her than half the kingdom. Give me here (fearing that, if he had time to consider, he would not do it,) John the Baptist's head in a charger, πιναξ, a large dish, which the antiquated word charger well expresses. We must just observe, that it was and is customary with princes in the Eastern parts of the world, to require the heads of those whom they had ordered to be executed to be brought to them, that they might be assured of their death: The grand signior does it to this day. See Lardner's Credibility, as above; Beza; and Blackwall's Sacred Classics, vol. 1: p. 383.