Keraia
Mark 6

Mark 6:25

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

Translations

Modern
At once the girl hurried back to the king with her request: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.”
Traditional
And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
Literal
And having entered immediately with haste to the king, she asked, saying, “I want that at once you might give to me upon a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
Latin
Cumque introisset statim cum festinatione ad regem, petivit dicens: Volo ut protinus des mihi in disco caput Joannis Baptistæ.

Interlinear

Greek
English
At once the girl hurried back to the king with her request: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.”

Notes

Mark 6:19–28

Herodias's role in John the Baptist's murder is similar to the story of Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1–2). Like Jezebel, she pushed for the death of a prophet.

Herod gave in to pressure (Mark 6:26–28). This points ahead to what Pontius Pilate later did. Pilate ordered that Jesus be put to death even though he believed Jesus was innocent (compare 6:20, 25–28 with 15:6–15).

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

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 John the Baptist Machaerus Mark, Gospel of Miracle Philip Teacher

Topics

Christian Minister: Faithful: John the Baptist Complicity: The Daughter of Herodias, in Asking for the Head of John the Baptist Herod: Tetrarch of Galilee (Herod Antipas): Beheads John the Baptist Jesus, the Christ: Herod (Antipas) Falsely Supposes Him to be John, Whom he had Beheaded John: Reproves Herod Antipas on Account of his Incest; Herod Imprisons Him, and Beheads Him Malice: Herodias Toward John Martyrdom: John the Baptist Politics: Women in Herodias, in Influencing the Administration of Herod Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: The Daughter of Herodias, in Her Complicity with Her Mother in Securing the Death of John the Baptist