Keraia
Mark 6

Mark 6:18

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

Modern
For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!”
Traditional
For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.
Literal
For John was saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have the wife of your brother.”
Latin
Dicebat enim Joannes Herodi: Non licet tibi habere uxorem fratris tui.

Interlinear

Greek
English
For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!”

Notes

Mark 6:18

  • Mark explains the moral and religious reason for the arrest and execution of John the Baptist. The Jewish historian Josephus gives a political reason instead. He says Herod feared that John’s popularity might lead to a rebellion (Josephus, Antiquities 18.5.2).

    In a similar way, the charges against Jesus began as religious concerns (Mark 14:63–64). But when he was brought before Pontius Pilate, the charges became political (15:2; Luke 23:2–3).

  • It is not lawful: John said that Herod’s marriage was wrong. It was adultery (Leviticus 20:10). It also broke the law that forbids a man from marrying his brother’s wife (Leviticus 18:16; 20:21).

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 Herodias Machaerus Mark, Gospel of Miracle Philip Teacher

Topics

Adultery: Herod Christian Minister: Faithful: John the Baptist Herod: Tetrarch of Galilee (Herod Antipas): Beheads John the Baptist Herod: Tetrarch of Galilee (Herod Antipas): Incest of Incest: Herod (Antipas) John: Reproves Herod Antipas on Account of his Incest; Herod Imprisons Him, and Beheads Him Marriage: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Martyrdom: John the Baptist Politics: Women in Herodias, in Influencing the Administration of Herod Reproof: Despised by Herodias Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage with Herod Antipas Women: The Daughter of Herodias, in Her Complicity with Her Mother in Securing the Death of John the Baptist