What does Mark 6:22 mean?

Herodias had been married to Philip I, but divorced him to marry Philip's half-brother Antipas. Presumably, her daughter is from her first marriage. The Bible doesn't explain what type of dancing the girl performs, but scholars speculate that Antipas and his guests become sexually excited. If so, the girl provides a good foil for John the Baptist. She shows the men what they want to see but cannot have. She makes Antipas look good in front of his nobles and commanders. She raises his political stature while sending his moral character into a free fall.

John the Baptist does the opposite. He tells Antipas what he does not want to hear: that his marriage to his brother's wife is immoral, and legally defined as incestuous. His accusations smear Antipas' reputation and threaten his political authority. John risks destroying Antipas' rule in an attempt to save his soul.

Antipas responds in a manner consistent with worldly, powerful people. He rewards the dancer and destroys the prophet. In fact, his appreciation for what the girl has offered is so careless it directly causes the death of the man who would save him.

We are all susceptible to this temptation. The world offers many things that look enticing. God presents only those things that will lead to life. When we reject God's offer, we destroy ourselves (Romans 6:23).