“Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.”
Matthew 14:7 — Greek Interlinear
Church Fathers on Matthew 14:7
The Evangelist having related John’s imprisonment, proceeds to his putting to death, saying, 'But on Herod’s birthday, the d aug hter of Herodias danced in the midst.
We find no others keeping their birthday besides Herod and Pharaoh, that they who were alike in their wickedness might be alike in their festivities.
It should be known that it is customary not for rich only but for poor mothers also, to educate their d aug hters so chastely, that they are scarce so much as seen by strangers. But this unchaste woman had so brought up her d aug hter after the same manner, that she had taught her not chastity but dancing. Nor is Herod to be less blamed who forgot that his was a royal palace, but this woman made it a theatre; 'And it pleased Herod, so that he swore with an oath that he would…