Mark 6:28 kjv
And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.
Mark 6:28 nkjv
brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.
Mark 6:28 niv
and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.
Mark 6:28 esv
and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.
Mark 6:28 nlt
brought his head on a tray, and gave it to the girl, who took it to her mother.
Mark 6 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 14:3-12 | For Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison... his disciples came and took the body and buried it. | Parallel account of John's imprisonment and death. |
| Lk 3:19-20 | But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him for Herodias his brother’s wife... put John in prison. | Luke's account of John's condemnation of Herod and imprisonment. |
| Lk 7:33 | For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine... | Highlights John's ascetic life, contrasting with Herod's indulgence. |
| Matt 23:31-37 | Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets... Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets. | Jesus condemns those who kill prophets, foreshadowing His own fate. |
| Acts 7:52 | Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? | Stephen's sermon referencing the long history of persecuting prophets. |
| Heb 11:37-38 | They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword. | Describing the sufferings and martyrdom of faithful people, including prophets. |
| Rev 6:9-11 | When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God. | Martyrs in heaven crying for justice. |
| Lev 18:16 | You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife; it is your brother’s nakedness. | The Mosaic Law John cited against Herod's marriage. |
| Lev 20:21 | If a man takes his brother’s wife, it is impurity... they shall be childless. | Further legal basis for John's condemnation. |
| Rom 1:32 | Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. | Herodias's promotion of sin and Herod's weak complicity. |
| Num 30:2 | If a man makes a vow to the Lord... he shall not break his word. | Herod's misguided interpretation or fulfillment of his oath. |
| Eccl 5:4-5 | When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it... it is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. | Highlights the folly of rash vows, relevant to Herod's situation. |
| Matt 5:33-37 | Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely...’ But let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. | Jesus teaching against taking oaths, contrasting with Herod's ill-advised oath. |
| Jas 5:12 | But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. | Further New Testament caution against oaths. |
| Rom 12:19 | Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God. | Contrast to Herodias's desire for personal vengeance. |
| Prov 29:27 | A righteous man is an abomination to the wicked. | Explains Herodias's profound hatred for John's righteousness. |
| Eccl 8:9 | There is a time when one man rules over another to his own harm. | Herod's exercise of power leading to his moral demise. |
| Mal 4:5-6 | Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. | John fulfilling the prophetic role of Elijah, leading to his martyrdom. |
| Matt 11:14 | And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. | Jesus' affirmation of John as the prophesied Elijah. |
| Mk 6:19-20 | Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to kill him... Herod feared John. | Immediately preceding verses establishing Herodias's malicious intent. |
| Mk 6:26-27 | And the king was exceedingly sorry... And immediately the king sent an executioner. | Direct preceding context of Herod's regret and sending of the executioner. |
| Ps 7:14-16 | Behold, the one who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble and gives birth to lies... his trouble will come down on his own head. | The principle that evil actions return upon the doer, seen in Herod's eventual downfall. |
Mark 6 verses
Mark 6 28 Meaning
This verse depicts the gruesome delivery of John the Baptist's severed head. The executioner brings John's head on a platter, fulfilling the macabre request of Salome, who, instigated by her mother Herodias, presented it to her mother. It underscores the culmination of Herodias's vengeful plot against John for condemning her unlawful marriage to Herod, exposing the profound depravity and moral bankruptcy within Herod's court.
Mark 6 28 Context
Mark 6:28 concludes the chilling account of John the Baptist's execution, a central event within the chapter that reveals the corruption of Herod Antipas's court and serves as a somber precursor to Jesus' own persecution. Immediately preceding this verse, the executioner, sent by Herod under duress from his oath, has decapitated John in the prison (Mk 6:27). This act is a direct consequence of Herodias's long-held hatred for John, who publicly condemned her incestuous marriage to Herod, his brother's wife (Mk 6:17-19). Herod, despite his personal respect and fear for John as a righteous man, found himself entangled by a rash oath made publicly to Salome, Herodias's daughter (Mk 6:21-26). The broader historical context is Roman-occupied Judea, where client kings like Herod wielded power but were also subject to local customs and Jewish Law. The narrative showcases the fatal collision between divine truth spoken by a prophet and the depraved secular power, highlighting the tragic end of God's messenger under unjust authority. This event also precedes the sending out of Jesus' twelve disciples (Mk 6:7-13), underscoring the dangers and opposition that awaited those who proclaimed God's truth.
Mark 6 28 Word analysis
- And he brought: (Greek: kai ēnen) A direct continuation of the executioner's action from the previous verse (Mk 6:27). It indicates the completion of the order, not just the killing, but the presentation as demanded.
- his head: (Greek: tēn kephalēn autou) The focus is disturbingly on the specific body part that represents the intellect, identity, and the very instrument through which John spoke truth. This physical object serves as a trophy, proof, and a grotesque gift, stripped of its life.
- on a platter: (Greek: epi pinaki) The term pinax (πίναξ) refers to a flat dish, a board, or a plate. This detail elevates the delivery from mere disposal to a deliberate presentation, almost ceremonial or ritualistic, emphasizing the macabre significance of the "gift" for Herodias. It underscores the profound dehumanization of John.
- and gave it: (Greek: kai edōken) A simple verb indicating transfer, highlighting the mundane mechanics of such an awful transaction. The executioner simply carries out the instruction without stated emotion, presenting it directly to the immediate recipient.
- to the girl: (Greek: tō korasiō) Refers to Salome, Herodias's daughter. "The girl" remains unnamed in Mark, maintaining a certain anonymity that focuses more on her role in the event rather than her individual character, although her agency (being prompted by her mother) is clear. This also highlights the innocence of youth twisted into complicity with extreme evil.
- and the girl gave it: (Greek: kai edōken autē) The repetition of "gave it" reinforces Salome's active participation in the chain of events. Though prompted by her mother, she willingly carries out the final act of presentation, confirming her complicity and the success of Herodias's manipulative influence.
- to her mother: (Greek: tē mētri autēs) This signifies the ultimate recipient, Herodias, the orchestrator and true object of vengeance. Her vindictive desire for John's death reaches its gruesome satisfaction through this final transfer. It underscores her calculated cruelty and the success of her manipulative agenda.
- "and he brought his head on a platter": This phrase dramatically shifts the horror from the act of decapitation to the deliberate, ritualistic display of the gruesome trophy. It speaks volumes about the depraved intent behind the execution.
- "gave it to the girl: and the girl gave it to her mother": This sequential handing off emphasizes the chilling chain of command and complicity. It underscores Herodias's absolute control over her daughter, who serves as the final instrument for the fulfillment of her mother's vengeful desires, sealing the horrific pact.
Mark 6 28 Bonus section
The horrific detail of the "head on a platter" finds echoes in ancient Near Eastern and Roman practices where the heads of enemies or criminals were often displayed as symbols of victory or punishment. However, here, the presentation is not for public deterrent but a private, spiteful gratification, intensifying the personal vendetta aspect of Herodias's revenge. While not directly stating polemics, the stark contrast between John's unwavering faithfulness to God's law and Herodias's deliberate transgression serves as an implicit condemnation of the worldly rulers who prioritize their passions and reputation over divine righteousness. This act against a prophet of God sets a precedent of escalating rejection that culminates in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ Himself. The narrative effectively brings a prophet's role in challenging contemporary beliefs to its tragic end.
Mark 6 28 Commentary
Mark 6:28 forms the gruesome climax of John the Baptist's story, exposing the depths of human depravity when fueled by malice, weakness, and misguided honor. The image of a prophet's head on a platter is one of the most stark and chilling in scripture, highlighting not just an execution, but a barbaric presentation. This verse reveals the cold efficiency of evil: an executioner carrying out orders, a young girl, Salome, fulfilling a mother's wicked desire, and Herodias finally sating her unholy thirst for vengeance against the man who dared to speak God's truth to her sin. The "platter" is a potent symbol, transforming an act of violence into a "gift," ironically reflecting the corrupted values of Herod's court. John, who represented unwavering truth and righteousness, met his end not in noble battle, but as a political pawn, a macabre offering on the altar of a woman's rage and a ruler's weakness. This serves as a potent reminder of the cost of faithfulness in a fallen world, a precursor to the greater injustice Jesus would later face, and a timeless example of how unchecked sin corrupts and consumes all in its path.For practical usage: This passage serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of allowing pride, anger, and unrighteous desires to dictate one's actions, leading to moral decay and irreparable harm. It also demonstrates the courageous yet costly calling of prophets to speak truth to power, even when faced with extreme opposition.