Mark 6 17

Mark 6:17 kjv

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.

Mark 6:17 nkjv

For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.

Mark 6:17 niv

For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married.

Mark 6:17 esv

For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her.

Mark 6:17 nlt

For Herod had sent soldiers to arrest and imprison John as a favor to Herodias. She had been his brother Philip's wife, but Herod had married her.

Mark 6 verses

Mark 6 17 Meaning

Mark 6:17 begins the explanation of why John the Baptist was imprisoned. It states that Herod Antipas, taking personal initiative, dispatched servants to arrest John and bind him in prison. The specific reason given for this drastic action was John's unwavering condemnation of Herod's marriage to Herodias, who was his brother Philip's wife. This union was unlawful under the Law of Moses, and John publicly challenged it, highlighting the clash between divine commands and the moral failures of human authority, ultimately leading to John’s martyrdom.

Mark 6 17 Context

Mark 6:17 provides a critical flashback that explains why Herod Antipas believed Jesus might be John the Baptist raised from the dead (Mark 6:14-16). This verse serves as the immediate narrative interruption to shed light on John's imprisonment, which sets the stage for his subsequent martyrdom detailed in the rest of the chapter. Historically, Herod Antipas was a son of Herod the Great, ruling as tetrarch over Galilee and Perea during the time of John the Baptist and Jesus. His marriage to Herodias was a scandalous and unlawful union by Jewish law (Leviticus 18:16; 20:21), as she was his niece and the wife of his living half-brother, Philip (often identified as Herod Philip I, son of Mariamne II). John, as a prophet, boldly denounced this sin, embodying the ancient prophetic tradition of confronting kings with God's truth. This act of speaking truth to power ultimately led to his arrest and imprisonment.

Mark 6 17 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): A conjunction introducing an explanation or reason. Here, it clarifies the preceding speculation about Jesus’ identity by narrating John the Baptist’s fate.
• Herod (Ἡρῴδης - Hērōdēs): Refers to Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, who had jurisdiction over the region where John preached. He was a political client ruler under Roman authority.
• himself (αὐτὸς - autos): Emphasizes Herod's personal initiative or direct involvement in the action, signifying that this was his own decision and command, not merely executed by subordinates without his explicit direction. It underscores his direct responsibility.
• had sent (ἀποστείλας - aposteilas): An aorist participle, meaning "having sent" or "after sending." It implies that Herod dispatched officers or agents specifically for the purpose of carrying out the arrest. It's an authoritative action.
• seized (ἐκράτησεν - ekratēsen): To lay hold of firmly, apprehend, or arrest. This word conveys the act of forcible capture or detention, highlighting that John's arrest was an authoritative, forceful measure.
• John (Ἰωάννην - Iōannēn): John the Baptist, a prophetic figure who prepared the way for Jesus Christ, calling people to repentance and baptizing them in the Jordan River. His uncompromising message extended even to the ruling class.
• bound him (ἔδησεν αὐτὸν - edēsen auton): Literally, "tied him" or "chained him." This indicates that John was physically restrained, often with ropes or chains, after being seized, as was common practice for prisoners to prevent escape.
• in prison (ἐν φυλακῇ - en phylakē): Literally, "in a guard-house" or "in custody." This denotes his place of confinement, a jail. It signifies the removal of John’s liberty and restriction of his ministry.
• for the sake of (διὰ - dia): A preposition indicating the cause or reason. It directly links John’s imprisonment to Herodias, clarifying the immediate motivation for Herod's actions.
• Herodias (Ἡρῳδιάδα - Hērōdiada): The specific individual who was the object of John’s condemnation. She was Herod Antipas’s niece and formerly the wife of his half-brother Philip. Her influence on Herod would prove decisive.
• his brother Philip's wife (γυναῖκα Φιλίππου τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ - gunaika Philippou tou adelphou autou): This phrase critically identifies Herodias's relationship that violated Jewish law. "Philip" here refers to Herod Philip I (sometimes called Herod Boethus), a son of Herod the Great by Mariamne II, and thus a half-brother to Herod Antipas. This marital arrangement was deemed unlawful incest and adultery because Philip was still alive at the time, making John’s accusation valid under Mosaic Law.
• because he had married her (ὅτι αὐτὴν ἐγάμησεν - hoti autēn egamēsen): This clause specifies the core offense: Herod Antipas's act of marrying Herodias. This was the direct and specific moral transgression that John the Baptist publicly denounced, which enraged Herodias and led to John’s downfall. John confronted sin directly, even at high societal levels.

• Herod himself had sent and seized John: This grouping emphasizes Herod Antipas's direct personal involvement and authoritative action in John's arrest. It underscores his culpability.
• bound him in prison: This phrase details the outcome of the seizure – John's physical incarceration and the loss of his freedom. It highlights the consequence of speaking prophetic truth to a corrupt ruler.
• for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife: This section provides the primary motive. It points to Herodias's strong influence and the nature of the relationship, which was morally scandalous and legally forbidden under the Law of Moses. It was not a matter of political subversion by John, but a moral rebuke.
• because he had married her: This direct statement explicitly names the specific violation that triggered John's rebuke. John was challenging a specific, public act of sin by the highest authority figure, reflecting the unwavering nature of his prophetic call for repentance.

Mark 6 17 Bonus section

The "Philip" mentioned in Mark 6:17 is most widely understood by scholars to be Herod Philip I (or Herod Boethus, according to Josephus), who was a half-brother of Herod Antipas, not the Tetrarch Philip (Herod Philip II) who ruled Iturea and Trachonitis. The distinction is crucial for understanding the unlawful nature of the marriage. Herodias was first married to Herod Philip I, and her subsequent marriage to Herod Antipas while her first husband was still alive, especially within such a close familial relationship, constituted a violation of Levitical law. John's bold confrontation of this specific transgression showcases his unwavering commitment to divine law over popular opinion or political expediency, reinforcing his role as the courageous foreteller of Messiah who brought God's kingdom into conflict with the prevailing moral and political corruption. This also sets the stage for Herodias's deep-seated vengeance against John, which is further explored in the subsequent verses.

Mark 6 17 Commentary

Mark 6:17 lays bare the initial catalyst for John the Baptist's demise, identifying the unlawful marriage between Herod Antipas and Herodias as the immediate cause of his imprisonment. This verse paints a vivid picture of prophetic confrontation: John, driven by fidelity to God's Law, dared to challenge the private moral conduct of the tetrarch. Herod, though possibly intrigued by John (Mk 6:20), succumbed to the pressure surrounding his scandalous union, specifically the anger of Herodias, leading him to silence the uncomfortable truth-teller. John’s act of speaking truth to power, even at the cost of his freedom, aligns him with the brave prophets of the Old Testament. This event underscores that faithfulness to God’s Word may involve personal suffering and that earthly power, when unchecked by divine law, can become a tool for suppressing righteousness. It also foreshadows the conflict Jesus and His followers would face with worldly authorities rooted in their moral failings. For practical usage, this verse exemplifies the call to speak truth in the face of sin, even when it is costly, and highlights that God's moral standards apply equally to all, regardless of status.