Mark 6 18

Mark 6:18 kjv

For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

Mark 6:18 nkjv

Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."

Mark 6:18 niv

For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."

Mark 6:18 esv

For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."

Mark 6:18 nlt

John had been telling Herod, "It is against God's law for you to marry your brother's wife."

Mark 6 verses

Mark 6 18 Meaning

Mark 6:18 explains the core reason for John the Baptist's confrontation with Herod Antipas: John publicly and repeatedly condemned Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. John declared this union to be a direct violation of Mosaic Law, emphasizing its impermissibility. This bold declaration served as a testament to John's unwavering commitment to God's truth, regardless of the political or personal cost.

Mark 6 18 Context

Mark 6:18 is situated within the narrative detailing the escalating conflict between John the Baptist and Herod Antipas, providing the immediate reason for John’s imprisonment and subsequent execution. This explanation arises after Jesus sends out His disciples, leading Herod to ponder Jesus' identity, suspecting Him to be John raised from the dead. The verse retrospectively explains the tension that already existed, making Herod’s later actions understandable. Historically, Herod Antipas was the tetrarch (a lesser ruler under Rome) of Galilee and Perea, known for his political maneuverings and dissolute lifestyle. His marriage to Herodias, the wife of his living half-brother Philip (and his own niece), was a flagrant violation of Jewish law (Leviticus 18:16, 20:21), even if it was somewhat customary among some Roman and Hellenistic elites. John's direct rebuke served as a prophetic challenge to Herod's moral authority and defiance of divine commands, demonstrating the unyielding nature of God's law applying even to rulers.

Mark 6 18 Word analysis

• For (Greek: γὰρ, gar): A connective particle. It functions here to introduce an explanation or reason for the preceding statement, linking John's past conflict with Herod to Herod's current perplexed state regarding Jesus.
• John (Greek: Ἰωάννης, Iōannēs): John the Baptist. He is presented as a courageous prophetic figure, called by God to prepare the way for the Messiah, which included confronting sin.
• had been saying (Greek: ἔλεγεν, elegene): The imperfect tense here indicates a continuous or repeated action. John was not a one-time accuser but had persistently, perhaps over an extended period, spoken this truth to Herod, signifying his unyielding commitment.
• to Herod (Greek: τῷ Ἡρῴδῃ, tō Hērōdē): Refers to Herod Antipas, the tetrarch. John boldly confronted one in a position of significant political and military power, risking his own life. This highlights the prophetic tradition of speaking truth to authority.
• It is not lawful (Greek: Οὐκ ἔξεστίν, Ouk exestin): This phrase unequivocally declares the action as impermissible. Exestin implies legitimacy or permission, usually derived from established law or custom, in this case, primarily God's law (Torah). It carries a sense of divine prohibition.
• for you (Greek: σοι, soi): The dative pronoun "you" directly addresses Herod. This personalizes the rebuke, making it clear that John held Herod himself accountable, not merely the situation in general.
• to have (Greek: ἔχειν, echein): In this context, it signifies "to possess," "to hold," or "to be married to." It refers to the illicit marital relationship, not just an adulterous affair, emphasizing its perceived legal status by Herod, but deemed unlawful by God's law.
• your brother’s (Greek: τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου, tou adelphou sou): Identifies the specific family relationship that makes the marriage forbidden. Herodias was the wife of Herod's half-brother, Philip (not the tetrarch Philip, but another Herod son). This directly violated the clear prohibition in Leviticus.
• wife (Greek: γυναῖκα, gynaika): Woman or wife. Her status as Philip's living wife made the subsequent marriage to Herod unlawful under Mosaic law, often referred to as incestuous.

Mark 6 18 Bonus section

The issue of "lawful" goes beyond just a marital law; it signifies a breach of the divine covenant and the moral order God established. While the Law permitted a brother to marry his deceased brother's childless widow (Deuteronomy 25:5, levirate marriage), this situation was different: Philip was alive, and Herodias had a daughter, Salome. Furthermore, Herodias was also Herod Antipas's niece, adding another layer of forbidden relationship not typically highlighted but still considered problematic by some interpretations of the Law regarding close kin. Herod's fear of the populace who revered John (Mk 6:20; Mt 14:5) also shows the powerful influence John's moral stand had beyond the direct confrontation, as Herod did not want to alienate the people by outright executing John, at least not initially.

Mark 6 18 Commentary

Mark 6:18 crystallizes John the Baptist's unwavering fidelity to God's law and his prophetic courage. His continuous declaration that Herod's marriage was "not lawful" directly challenges the ruler's personal immorality based on clear scriptural commands, specifically Leviticus 18:16 and 20:21. This was more than a mere personal opinion; it was a pronouncement rooted in divine decree. John's persistent, public rebuke underscored that even kings are subject to God's ethical standards, reflecting the tradition of Old Testament prophets who confronted corrupt leaders (e.g., Elijah confronting Ahab). This boldness, however, carried severe consequences, leading to John's imprisonment and ultimate martyrdom, powerfully illustrating the cost of faithfulness to truth in the face of human power and pride.