Mark 6:14 kjv
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.
Mark 6:14 nkjv
Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."
Mark 6:14 niv
King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him."
Mark 6:14 esv
King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him."
Mark 6:14 nlt
Herod Antipas, the king, soon heard about Jesus, because everyone was talking about him. Some were saying, "This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead. That is why he can do such miracles."
Mark 6 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 6:15 | Others said, "He is Elijah." And still others, "He is a prophet, like one of the ancient prophets." | Similar popular misidentifications of Jesus. |
| Mk 6:16 | But when Herod heard about it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!" | Herod's direct confirmation of this belief due to guilty conscience. |
| Mk 6:17-29 | For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested... then he had him beheaded in the prison. | Details John's execution, the basis for Herod's guilt. |
| Mt 14:1-2 | At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus and said to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist, risen from the dead!" | Matthew's parallel account, same mistaken identity. |
| Lk 9:7-8 | Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening and was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead. | Luke's parallel, highlighting Herod's perplexity and the varied theories. |
| Lk 3:19-20 | But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch... Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison. | John's prior confrontation with Herod leading to his imprisonment. |
| Mk 8:27-29 | "Who do people say I am?" And they answered, "Some say John the Baptist..." | Public opinions about Jesus' identity, still including John, much later in ministry. |
| Mt 16:13-14 | "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist..." | Matthew's account of disciples' knowledge of public opinion on Jesus' identity. |
| Jn 1:19-21 | "Who are you?" He confessed... "I am not the Messiah." And they asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." | John the Baptist clarifies his own identity, distinguishing himself from prophets or Messiah. |
| Mal 4:5-6 | "See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes." | Prophecy of Elijah's return, often associated with a forerunner. |
| Mt 11:13-14 | For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. | Jesus identifies John the Baptist as fulfilling the role of Elijah. |
| Lk 1:17 | He will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah... | Gabriel's prophecy about John having the spirit and power of Elijah. |
| Acts 1:3 | After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. | Emphasizes true resurrection of Jesus, contrasting with the mistaken belief about John. |
| Acts 2:24 | But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. | Confirmation of God's power in actual resurrection, specific to Jesus. |
| Jn 11:25-26 | Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die." | Jesus is the true source of life and resurrection, not merely someone raised. |
| Rom 8:11 | And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies. | Connection between God's Spirit and the power of resurrection. |
| Mk 1:28 | News about him spread quickly over the whole Galilee region. | Early indication of Jesus' rapidly spreading fame. |
| Mk 3:7-8 | Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. | The growth of Jesus' popular appeal leading to his widespread fame. |
| Lk 4:14 | Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. | Early stages of Jesus' ministry, and news of Him spreading rapidly. |
| Jn 3:26 | And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him." | John's disciples observing Jesus' growing following. |
| Mk 9:31-32 | He taught his disciples and said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men... they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it." | General misunderstanding about Jesus' true identity and mission, even among disciples. |
Mark 6 verses
Mark 6 14 Meaning
King Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, became aware of Jesus' burgeoning fame. Reports of Jesus' powerful ministry, including miraculous works, had spread widely, prompting public speculation about His identity. A prevalent theory, fueled by Herod's own guilt and superstition, suggested that Jesus was John the Baptist, whom Herod had executed, risen from the dead. This resurrection was then perceived by some as the source of the extraordinary miraculous powers active in Jesus. The verse highlights both Jesus' growing public recognition and a significant misunderstanding of His true identity among both the populace and the ruling authorities.
Mark 6 14 Context
Mark 6:14 immediately follows Jesus sending out the twelve disciples on their first mission to preach repentance, cast out demons, and heal the sick (Mk 6:7-13). This successful, powerful mission by His disciples amplifies Jesus' own fame, creating such a stir that reports reach the tetrarch Herod Antipas. Rather than placing John's death earlier, Mark strategically positions Herod's reaction here as a dramatic flashback (Mk 6:17-29), which explains the ruler's superstitious fear and sets up a parallel between the persecuted prophet and Jesus' own path towards suffering. The verse reveals the tension and popular misunderstanding surrounding Jesus' identity as His ministry gains widespread attention.
Mark 6 14 Word analysis
King Herod (Ἡρῴδης, Hērōdēs): Specifically Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great. He ruled as tetrarch of Galilee and Perea under Roman authority. His hearing of Jesus’ fame is highly significant, indicating the political and social reach of Jesus' movement, and foreshadowing official concern and potential conflict. Herod's immediate association of Jesus with John reveals his deep, troubled conscience.
heard (ἤκουσεν, ēkousen) of it: Implies that the news of Jesus' activities and renown had permeated society and reached the highest echelons of power. It signifies not merely a rumor but established public knowledge.
Jesus’ name (ὄνομα αὐτοῦ, onoma autou) had become well known (φανερὸν γὰρ ἐγένετο, phaneron gar egeneto): "Name" here refers to His person, His reputation, authority, and the widespread knowledge of His mighty works. "Well known" or "made manifest" emphasizes that His identity and actions were no longer obscure but publicly revealed and widely recognized across the region.
Some (ἔλεγον, elegon) were saying: This highlights the existence of various public opinions regarding Jesus' identity. It shows popular debate and an attempt by the people to categorize and understand who He was based on their existing beliefs and experiences.
John the Baptist (Ἰωάννης ὁ βαπτίζων, Iōannēs ho baptizōn): Refers to the prophetic figure, Jesus' forerunner, whom Herod had already executed. The inclusion of "the Baptist" emphasizes his role in preparation and calling for repentance.
has been raised from the dead (ἐγήγερται ἐκ νεκρῶν, egēgertai ek nekrōn): This strong statement suggests a belief in resurrection. For Herod, it specifically meant a reanimated John, returning with intensified power, likely triggering his guilt and fear of judgment. This also reflects a general belief in the possibility of resurrection in Jewish thought, especially for righteous figures.
That is why (διὰ τοῦτο, dia touto) miraculous powers (αἱ δυνάμεις, hai dynameis) are at work (ἐνεργοῦσιν, energousin) in him: This clause reveals the perceived logical connection. The idea was that the resurrection empowered the resurrected individual with extraordinary divine or supernatural abilities. "Miraculous powers" refers to Jesus' extraordinary deeds—healings, exorcisms, nature miracles. "At work in him" indicates an inherent, active force within Jesus, believed by some to be a direct consequence of this supposed resurrection.
Words-group analysis:
- "King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become well known": This phrase establishes the reach of Jesus' fame beyond the common people to the ruling elite. It underlines that Jesus' ministry was causing a stir significant enough to alarm a cautious ruler like Herod. The fame implies widespread reports of mighty works, teaching, and followers.
- "Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”": This group of phrases articulates the public (and Herod's) attempt to make sense of Jesus’ power. It reveals a deep-seated spiritual misunderstanding. They correctly observed the extraordinary nature of Jesus’ "powers" (miracles) but incorrectly attributed their source to John's resurrection. This misidentification reflects a lack of divine revelation about Jesus' true Messianic identity, instead relying on popular folk beliefs or the legacy of a respected prophet. The belief implies a spiritual or demonic explanation for such unprecedented power, or even a recognition of God's work, but through a misconstrued channel.
Mark 6 14 Bonus section
- The Gospel of Mark frequently emphasizes the motif of misunderstanding regarding Jesus' identity, not only by the public but even by His own disciples (e.g., Mk 4:13; 8:33; 9:32). This verse serves as an early example from the secular authority's perspective.
- Mark’s placement of John's death narrative (Mk 6:17-29) after Herod's reaction to Jesus is a literary device called a "sandwich" or "intercalation." It serves to provide a flashback that explains Herod's fear and guilty conscience, creating dramatic tension and drawing a parallel between the fates of John the Baptist and Jesus.
- The fear Herod experienced wasn't purely superstition; it also represented a ruler's anxiety over popular movements and the potential for a figure like John (or Jesus, if he were John revived) to incite unrest against his rule. Herod's concern has political undertones rooted in his history with John, who had challenged his unlawful marriage.
- While people speculated Jesus was John or Elijah, Jesus' true power was not from being raised from the dead, but from His inherent divine life and authority as the Son of God, who would later truly conquer death through His own resurrection.
Mark 6 14 Commentary
Mark 6:14 provides a critical insight into the widespread impact of Jesus' ministry and the contemporary reactions to His unprecedented authority. Herod Antipas's reaction, stemming from a profoundly guilty conscience regarding John the Baptist's execution, highlights the deep spiritual and political unrest Jesus created. The public's speculation, culminating in the belief that Jesus was John resurrected and thus empowered for miracles, demonstrates a yearning for a prophetic figure, but also a fundamental misapprehension of Jesus’ divine nature and His unique relationship with the Father. This initial misidentification of Jesus, even when attributing powerful works to Him, serves as a narrative backdrop to highlight later confessions of His true identity by His disciples and to contrast divine revelation with human understanding. It also subtly foreshadows the rejection and persecution Jesus would ultimately face from earthly authorities.