Mark 6 26

Mark 6:26 kjv

And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.

Mark 6:26 nkjv

And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.

Mark 6:26 niv

The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.

Mark 6:26 esv

And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her.

Mark 6:26 nlt

Then the king deeply regretted what he had said; but because of the vows he had made in front of his guests, he couldn't refuse her.

Mark 6 verses

Mark 6 26 Meaning

Mark 6:26 describes Herod Antipas's profound sorrow upon being asked for John the Baptist's head. Despite his personal grief, he felt compelled by the public oath he had made before his guests, and for the sake of his reputation among them, he chose not to reject Salome's terrible request, thereby sealing John's fate. The verse highlights Herod's moral weakness and the prioritizing of worldly honor and appearances over justice and divine truth.

Mark 6 26 Context

This verse is embedded in the narrative of John the Baptist's execution (Mk. 6:14-29). Earlier, John had boldly condemned Herod Antipas's unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife (Lev. 18:16, 20:21). Herodias held a bitter grudge against John and sought to kill him, but Herod initially protected him, possibly out of a sense of awe for John or fear of the crowds who regarded John as a prophet (Mk. 6:20). The scene unfolds at Herod's birthday banquet, where Salome, Herodias's daughter, danced to entertain the king and his distinguished guests. Impressed and perhaps intoxicated, Herod made a rash, public oath to give her anything she desired, up to half his kingdom. Influenced by her mother, Salome requested John's head on a platter. Mark 6:26 captures Herod's immediate reaction to this demand, revealing his internal moral conflict under immense social pressure. Historically, Herod Antipas was a tetrarch, a regional ruler, but Mark calls him "king," reflecting either common usage or his own aspirations. The act takes place during a significant social event, a banquet, where honor and public perception were paramount, contributing to the pressure on Herod to fulfill his publicly declared oath.

Mark 6 26 Word analysis

• And the king: (Καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς - Kai ho basileus). "And" links this action directly to the previous events. "The king" refers to Herod Antipas, a tetrarch (a lesser ruler appointed by Rome) rather than a full king. Mark's use of "king" here likely emphasizes his perceived authority and grandeur in his own domain, particularly during a public celebration. It underscores the contrast between his outward authority and inward weakness.
• was exceedingly sorry: (περίλυπος - perilypos). This is a strong Greek term, signifying "greatly grieved," "very sad," or "distressed beyond measure." It implies more than mere disappointment; it suggests profound sorrow, anguish, or inner turmoil. Herod understood the moral implications of the demand and John's righteous character, but this sorrow did not lead to repentance or virtuous action. His grief was rooted in personal regret and possibly the gravity of the impending act, rather than righteous conviction.
• yet for his oath's sake: (διὰ τοὺς ὅρκους - dia tous horkous). "Yet" or "but" signifies a strong contrast with his sorrow. The phrase literally means "because of the oaths" (plural). This could imply the seriousness and binding nature of a single, publicly witnessed oath, or perhaps suggest multiple reiterations or vows to impress his guests. In ancient societies, a public oath, especially from a ruler, was considered a solemn and binding commitment, directly tied to one's honor and credibility.
• and for their sakes who sat with him: (καὶ διὰ τοὺς ἀνακειμένους - kai dia tous anakeimenous). Literally "and because of those reclining at table." This reveals the social pressure. Herod's concern was not just his personal oath but also his reputation and standing before his prominent banquet guests. To retract his promise publicly would have caused him immense public shame and a perceived loss of honor and authority among those gathered, making him appear weak or fickle. This points to the fear of man overriding the fear of God.
• he would not reject her: (οὐκ ἠθέλησεν ἀθετῆσαι - ouk ēthelēsen athetēsai). "Would not" implies a refusal stemming from a deliberate decision under duress. "Reject" (ἀθετῆσαι - athetēsai) means "to annul," "to set aside," "to invalidate," or "to repudiate." It implies breaking his solemn promise. Herod was morally trapped by his own rashness and vanity, choosing to honor his foolish oath and public image over a righteous course of action, even if it meant executing an innocent man.

Words-Group by words-group analysis:

• And the king was exceedingly sorry: This phrase juxtaposes Herod's internal emotional state with his regal title. The "king" (ho basileus), with his outward power, is internally weak and burdened. His sorrow highlights an awareness of wrong, but not the strength to resist it. It indicates a conflict between conscience and expediency.
• yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes who sat with him: These two phrases clearly state the twin pressures compelling Herod. His personal word, given as a public oath, and the perceived judgment of his dinner guests combined to form an irresistible force. This reveals that his decision was driven by external conformity and human respect rather than internal moral conviction.
• he would not reject her: This final clause states the tragic outcome. Herod's inability to "reject" or break his word to Salome (and, by extension, Herodias) encapsulates his moral cowardice and the fatal consequences of prioritizing pride and public appearance over righteousness. It sealed John the Baptist's unjust execution.

Mark 6 26 Bonus section

Herod's internal conflict and choice directly illustrate the biblical principle that a desire for human approval can lead to compromising one's values and disobeying God (Jn. 12:42-43; Gal. 1:10). The "king" who held physical power was morally bankrupt, lacking the courage to do what he knew was right. His "sorrow" was a self-pitying regret over his predicament, not a genuine repentance that would lead to sparing an innocent man. This contrasts sharply with righteous sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10) and exemplifies how grief over consequences is not the same as sorrow over sin itself. The phrase "for their sakes who sat with him" not only emphasizes public image but also points to the corrupting influence of association with those who enable and encourage evil. Herod could not 'reject her' because he was enslaved to his own pride and the opinion of his corrupted court.

Mark 6 26 Commentary

Mark 6:26 offers a stark portrait of a weak ruler enslaved by vanity and the fear of human opinion. Herod's "exceeding sorrow" (perilypos) suggests an inner knowledge that what he was about to do was wrong. This powerful Greek term for sorrow is used elsewhere to describe Jesus's agony in Gethsemane (Mk. 14:34), emphasizing the depth of Herod's emotional turmoil. Yet, unlike Christ, Herod's sorrow did not lead to resolute righteousness, but rather to tragic compromise. He was caught in a trap of his own making: a rash, public oath born of impulsive pleasure and drunken revelry. The pressure of "his oath's sake" and "for their sakes who sat with him" reveals the root of his fatal decision. In that culture, a king's public word and honor before his peers were paramount. To refuse Salome's request would have meant publicly breaking his word and incurring immense shame and ridicule, potentially undermining his authority among those who mattered most to him—his guests. This fear of human disapproval ultimately outweighed his conscience and any lingering respect for John the Baptist, whom he "protected" (Mk. 6:20). The verse is a profound biblical lesson on the dangers of fear of man (Prov. 29:25), the consequence of unrighteous vows (Eccl. 5:4-5), and the moral paralysis that can ensue when worldly honor is valued above truth and justice. It portrays a ruler who chooses image over integrity, leading to the senseless martyrdom of a prophet of God.