Keraia
Mark 6

Mark 6:17

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

Modern
For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married.
Traditional
For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her.
Literal
For Herod himself, having sent, seized John and bound him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of Philip his brother, because he married her.
Latin
Ipse enim Herodes misit, ac tenuit Joannem, et vinxit eum in carcere propter Herodiadem uxorem Philippi fratris sui, quia duxerat eam.

Original

Greek
English
For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married.

Notes

Mark 6:17

  • that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned: The Jewish historian Josephus (Antiquities 18.5.2) says that John was imprisoned in the fortress of Machaerus in Perea.

  • Josephus (Antiquities 18.5.1–4) also mentions that Herodias was the wife of Herod Antipas's half-brother, Herod Philip.

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 Herodias: Wife of Herod Antipas who had John beheaded John: The Baptist, a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus Philip: Herod Antipas' brother, first husband of Herodias

Glossary

Apostle, Apostleship Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Herod, Herodian Family Herodias Machaerus Mark, Gospel of Miracle Philip Teacher

Topics

Adultery: Herod Herod: Tetrarch of Galilee (Herod Antipas): Beheads John the Baptist Herod: Tetrarch of Galilee (Herod Antipas): Incest of Herodias: Daughter of Aristobulus Incest: Herod (Antipas) John: Reproves Herod Antipas on Account of his Incest; Herod Imprisons Him, and Beheads Him Marriage: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Philip: The Brother of Herod Antipas and the Husband of Herodias Politics: Women in Herodias, in Influencing the Administration of Herod Prisoners: John the Baptist Prisons used for Confining: Persons Under the King's Displeasure Prisons: Persons Confined in Often Bound with Fetters Reproof: Faithfulness in John the Baptist, of Herod Antipas Wives: Bad: Herodias Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage with Herod Antipas