How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #4
JOKANAAN Get thee behind me! I hear in the palace the beating of the wings of the angel of death.
THE YOUNG SYRIAN Princess, I beseech thee to go within.
JOKANAAN Angel of the Lord God, what dost thou here with thy sword? Whom seekest thou in this palace? The day of him who shall die in a robe of silver has not yet come. (140-142)
Jokanaan prophesies a time of judgment, and yet even he is surprised to be visited by the Angel of Death. The time he speaks of is not meant to come quite so soon.
Quote #5
SALOMÉ Suffer me to kiss thy mouth, Jokanaan.
JOKANAAN Art thou not afraid, daughter of Herodias? Did I not tell thee that I had heard in the palace the beating of the wings of the angel of death, and hath he not come, the angel of death?
SALOMÉ Suffer me to kiss thy mouth.
JOKANAAN Daughter of adultery, there is but one who can save thee. It is He of whom I spake. Go seek Him. He is in a boat on the sea of Galilee, and He talketh with His disciples. Kneel down on the shore of the sea, and call unto Him by His name. When He cometh to thee, and to all who call on Him He cometh, bow thyself at His feet and ask of Him the remission of thy sins. (156-160)
Jokanaan here is referring to Jesus, specifically the episode in the Gospels where he recruits a group of fishermen—including his future apostle Peter—and tells them they will be "fishers of men." Salomé is given the chance to repent along with them, but, even after the angel of death has visited Herod's palace, she chooses not to listen.
Quote #6
THE VOICE OF JOKANAAN Behold the time is come! That which I foretold has come to pass. The day that I spake of is at hand.
HERODIAS Bid him be silent. I will not listen to his voice. This man is forever hurling insults against me.
HEROD He has said nothing against you. Besides, he is a very great prophet.
HERODIAS I do not believe in prophets. Can a man tell what will come to pass? No man knows it. Also he is for ever insulting me. But I think you are afraid of him… I know well that you are afraid of him.
HEROD I am not afraid of him. I am afraid of no man. (211-215)
Herodias, in her rejection of all prophets, seems to deny any kind of religion. She simply wants to live in the here and now.