Mark 6 21

Mark 6:21 kjv

And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;

Mark 6:21 nkjv

Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.

Mark 6:21 niv

Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.

Mark 6:21 esv

But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.

Mark 6:21 nlt

Herodias's chance finally came on Herod's birthday. He gave a party for his high government officials, army officers, and the leading citizens of Galilee.

Mark 6 verses

Mark 6 21 Meaning

Mark 6:21 initiates the dramatic account of John the Baptist's execution by setting the scene for a pivotal event. It describes Herod Antipas's elaborate birthday feast, attended by the most influential figures in Galilee: his nobility, military commanders, and leading citizens. This "convenient day" becomes ironically opportune for the evil intentions of Herodias to be carried out, providing the specific time and setting for John's death. The verse highlights Herod's paganized lifestyle and the context of moral compromise and revelry that would lead to a horrific act.

Mark 6 21 Context

Mark 6:21 is set within the larger narrative of Jesus's ministry and the mounting opposition from various groups, including political powers. Prior to this verse, John the Baptist has been imprisoned by Herod Antipas because John boldly condemned Herod's illicit marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife (Mk 6:17-18). Herodias nursed a bitter grudge against John and sought to have him killed, though Herod himself was ambivalent and somewhat feared John (Mk 6:19-20). The verse introduces the crucial setting that would provide Herodias with her desired opportunity. This event occurs while Jesus's disciples are on their first missionary journey, adding a dramatic counterpoint to their work, demonstrating the darkness of the world they are commissioned to evangelize. Historically, Herod Antipas ruled as Tetrarch under Rome and adopted many Roman customs, including the celebration of birthdays, which was not a traditional Jewish practice. His court was characterized by political intrigue, moral laxity, and a blending of Jewish and Hellenistic practices.

Mark 6 21 Word analysis

• And when: Connects this pivotal moment to the preceding narrative, setting it up as a consequence or progression.
• a convenient day: (Greek: euukairou hēmeras, from euukairos, meaning "well-timed," "opportune," or "fitting"). This term is profoundly ironic. It was a day suited, or opportune, for Herodias's malicious intent to be carried out, allowing the unfolding of the dark plot. It underscores the precise timing that, from a human perspective, favored evil.
• was come: Indicates the arrival of this specific and predetermined occasion.
• that Herod: Refers to Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, son of Herod the Great. His character is marked by indecisiveness, fear of man, and moral compromise.
• on his birthday: (Greek: genesion). A Hellenistic or Roman custom, not a Jewish one, emphasizing Herod's integration into the wider Greco-Roman culture and his disregard for traditional Jewish piety, further contrasting him with John the Baptist.
• made a supper: (Greek: deipnon). Refers to the main meal of the day, an evening banquet. This implies a lavish, celebratory feast, often associated with revelry and less guarded behavior.
• to his lords: (Greek: megistanesin, "magnates" or "great men"). These were high-ranking officials and nobility, representing the political power structure under Herod.
• high captains: (Greek: chiliarchois, "chiliarchs" or "commanders of a thousand"). These were senior military officers, reflecting the military power and control of Herod's regime.
• and chief estates of Galilee: (Greek: protois tēs Galilaias, "first ones of Galilee," leading men/principal persons). This denotes the most prominent and influential citizens from the region, encompassing local leadership, landowners, and respected figures. The inclusion of all these groups signifies a major, public gathering of Herod's most important constituents and supporters.

Words-group analysis:

• "A convenient day was come": This phrase carries dramatic irony. While humanly convenient for an evil purpose, it aligns with a divine "appointed time" for John the Baptist's witness and ultimate martyrdom.
• "Herod on his birthday made a supper": This combination highlights a scene of lavish, self-centered celebration—a secular, perhaps hedonistic, affair in stark contrast to the austere and divinely appointed mission of John the Baptist, whom this gathering will ironically destroy.
• "to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee": This tripartite list details the comprehensive attendance, encompassing the breadth of Herod's political, military, and civil power base. It underscores the public and high-stakes nature of the event, explaining Herod's subsequent reluctance and capitulation to the oath made before such a prestigious assembly.

Mark 6 21 Bonus section

The carefully listed attendees—lords, captains, and chief estates—underscore the immense peer pressure and public expectation that Herod faced. His decision regarding John was not just a private family matter but an act conducted before his entire political and military elite. This provides deeper insight into why Herod, despite his personal qualms about harming John (Mk 6:20), ultimately succumbed to Herodias's demand—to save face and fulfill a rash vow made in the presence of his most important subjects. The timing and setting underscore the pervasive corruption in high places and how even moments of supposed joy can turn to infamy when moral foundations are lacking.

Mark 6 21 Commentary

Mark 6:21 serves as the crucial setting for John the Baptist's execution, a moment pregnant with dark irony. The "convenient day" is opportune not for justice or celebration in God's eyes, but for the triumph of human malice, specifically Herodias's long-held vengeance against John. Herod Antipas's birthday feast, a pagan custom, highlights his worldly alignment and departure from traditional Jewish reverence. Surrounded by his most influential lords, military commanders, and civil leaders from Galilee, Herod is in a position where his reputation and promises are highly scrutinized, setting the stage for his fateful, public oath. This verse brilliantly contrasts the lavish, self-indulgent, and ultimately deadly atmosphere of Herod's court with the impending, innocent sacrifice of God's prophet, whose life was defined by humility and adherence to divine truth. It's a vivid illustration of how power, moral weakness, and misplaced loyalty can converge to produce heinous sin, driven by pride and the desire for social acceptance.