Keraia
Mark 6

Mark 6:28

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

Modern
The man brought John’s head on a platter and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother.
Traditional
And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.
Literal
…and brought his head upon a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.
Latin
…et attulit caput ejus in disco: et dedit illud puellæ, et puella dedit matri suæ.

Interlinear

Greek
English
The man brought John’s head on a platter and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother.

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

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 Government: Monarchical by Herod 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 Punishment: Death Penalty: Beheading 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