Keraia
Mark 6

Mark 6:14

The Beheading of John · Mark 6:14–29
Read Mark 6

Translations

Modern
Now King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
Traditional
And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
Literal
And King Herod heard; for His name became well known, And they were saying, “John, the one baptizing, has been raised out from the dead. And because of this, the miraculous powers are working in him.”
Latin
Et audivit rex Herodes (manifestum enim factum est nomen ejus), et dicebat: Quia Joannes Baptista resurrexit a mortuis: et propterea virtutes operantur in illo.

Interlinear

Greek
English
Now King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Notes

Mark 6:14

  • Jesus’ name had become well known: The successful mission in Galilee and Perea by six teams of disciples helped spread news about him throughout the region (6:12–13).

  • John the Baptist has risen from the dead!: King Herod may have thought that John the Baptist had come back to life and was now working through Jesus. This idea is similar to how Elijah's spirit came upon Elisha.

    Or, he might have been expressing frustration, saying something like, “This is John the Baptist all over again!” (the same kind of powerful prophet has appeared again).

Mark 6:14–29

The story of John the Baptist's death, placed between the disciples' mission and return, emphasizes the authority and power of Jesus (see 6:7, 14). John's end and the warning to the disciples during their mission also point ahead to the death of Jesus (6:11). The one greater even than John (1:8) would soon be handed over to religious and political leaders and put to death (8:31; 9:31; 10:33).

Theme notes and profiles

Herod Antipas John the Baptist

Events

Parallels

Matthew 14:1–12 Luke 9:7–9

People

Herod: Tetrarch of Galilee during Jesus' ministry John: The Baptist, a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus

Glossary

Apostle, Apostleship Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Herod, Herodian Family Mark, Gospel of Miracle Powers Prophecy Teacher Tetrarch

Topics

Conscience: Guilty Conviction: Herod, when he Heard of the Fame of Jesus Jesus, the Christ: Herod (Antipas) Falsely Supposes Him to be John, Whom he had Beheaded John: Herod Antipas Falsely Supposes Jesus to Be Superstition: Herod Antipas, Imagining That Jesus Was Actually John the Baptist Risen from the Dead