Mark 6 29

Mark 6:29 kjv

And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

Mark 6:29 nkjv

When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

Mark 6:29 niv

On hearing of this, John's disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Mark 6:29 esv

When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Mark 6:29 nlt

When John's disciples heard what had happened, they came to get his body and buried it in a tomb.

Mark 6 verses

Mark 6 29 Meaning

Mark 6:29 depicts the somber moment when John the Baptist's loyal followers learned of his beheading. Demonstrating profound respect and courage, they came forward, claimed his body, and reverently placed it in a tomb. This act marks the quiet, yet dignified, conclusion of a pivotal prophetic ministry, setting the stage for Jesus's ongoing mission.

Mark 6 29 Context

Mark chapter 6 details Herod Antipas's profound personal crisis, stemming from his fear and guilt concerning John the Baptist, whom he had unjustly imprisoned. Verses 17-28 narrate the grim and sordid sequence of events: Herod's illicit marriage to Herodias, John's courageous and righteous condemnation of their sin, Herodias's bitter vengeful plotting, Herod's rash oath made during his birthday feast, his stepdaughter Salome's chilling request for John's head, and the eventual, tragic execution. Mark 6:29 immediately follows this gruesome act, abruptly shifting the focus from Herod's banquet hall and its debauchery to the solemn actions of John's faithful followers. The historical setting is 1st-century Galilee, under Roman proxy rule, where prophetic voices often challenged the political elite and frequently met with violent suppression. John's death signifies the closing of a significant prophetic era, tacitly clearing the path for Jesus's burgeoning ministry and implicitly echoing the profound transition from the Old Covenant prophets to the advent of the Messiah Himself.

Mark 6 29 Word analysis

• When his disciples (οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, hoi mathētai autou):

  • "Disciples" (mathētai): This term signifies dedicated followers, learners, or students who commit to their master's teachings and lifestyle. Its use here underscores the depth of their loyalty to John, highlighting that their connection transcended mere admiration and persisted even in the face of his brutal death. Their identity was tied to their master.

• heard about it, (ἀκούσαντες, akousantes):

  • "Heard" (akousantes): Conveys the receipt of disturbing news, implying that the horrific event of John's beheading became known, perhaps through whispers or a chilling public display. This information spurred them to immediate action.

• they came (ἦλθον, ēlthon):

  • "Came" (ēlthon): Denotes a purposeful and deliberate movement. Their coming was a proactive response, demonstrating courage and conviction, overcoming potential fear or danger to fulfill a vital duty of reverence and mourning.

• and took his body (καὶ ἦραν τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ, kai ēran to sōma autou):

  • "Took" (ēran): Means to lift, carry away, or remove. This act was one of courage and conviction. In the context of a tyrannical ruler who had just executed a public figure, associating with the condemned, even in death, carried significant risks. It asserts their respectful ownership and connection.
  • "Body" (sōma): Refers to John's physical remains. It starkly emphasizes the reality of his death and the fundamental need for a proper and dignified burial, which was essential for both Jewish custom and honoring the individual.

• and laid it (καὶ ἔθηκαν αὐτὸ, kai ethēkan auto):

  • "Laid" (ethēkan): Signifies to place or put down with care and solemnity. This act of interment directly contrasts with the violent and irreverent manner of John's execution, demonstrating the disciples' deep reverence for his person.

• in a tomb. (ἐν μνημείῳ, en mnemeiō):

  • "Tomb" (mnemeiō): A designated burial place, typically a natural cave or a chamber hewn from rock. This confirms that John received a proper, albeit likely humble, burial, affording him the dignity that was denied to him by his executioners. It serves as his final resting place and a mark of respect for his prophetic status.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "his disciples heard about it": This phrase highlights the profound loyalty and immediate, heartbroken response of John's faithful followers. Their devotion endured even after their master's life ended brutally, underscoring their enduring identity as his students. The news of his fate immediately mobilized them.
  • "they came and took his body": This grouping emphasizes the courageous and solemn nature of their action. Retrieving the body of a publicly executed figure under a capricious ruler was a significant act of defiance and deep reverence. It indicates a commitment beyond mere intellectual assent, revealing active love and respect in a hostile environment.
  • "and laid it in a tomb": This final action represents closure and proper honor bestowed upon the deceased prophet. It powerfully contrasts the violent, undignified manner of his death with a reverent, culturally appropriate burial, affirming his identity and the significance of his life and ministry, even in its physical end. This act of burying the dead was a core religious duty in ancient Jewish society.

Mark 6 29 Bonus section

• Moral Contrast with Herod's Feast: The brief verse serves as a stark moral counterpoint to the preceding narrative of Herod's extravagant birthday feast. The lavish, debauched, and self-serving nature of the banquet—culminating in murder—is contrasted with the somber, humble, and reverent actions of John's disciples. This highlights the profound spiritual bankruptcy of the ruling power versus the quiet piety of faithful adherence.
• Significance of Burial in Jewish Tradition: In ancient Jewish culture, proper burial was a non-negotiable act of chesed (lovingkindness or covenant loyalty) and profound respect, regardless of the deceased's status, or even if they were enemies (Deut 21:23). Denying burial was considered a profound dishonor. The disciples, by ensuring John was laid in a tomb, unequivocally rejected Herod's attempt to degrade him, thereby affirming his prophetic standing even after his execution.
• Transition in Ministry: John the Baptist's death, marked by this burial, is a critical turning point in Mark's narrative. Immediately following this account (Mark 6:30ff), Jesus enters into a phase of heightened public ministry, including major miracles like the feeding of the five thousand and walking on water. John's work as the forerunner is complete, physically removed from the scene so that Jesus's ministry can accelerate as the undisputed focus.
• Foreshadowing Jesus's Burial: The quiet courage and piety shown by John's disciples in burying their master significantly parallels the actions of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus who discreetly, yet bravely, took and buried the body of Jesus (Mark 15:42-47, John 19:38-42). This establishes a pattern of loyal followers ensuring dignity for their unjustly killed leaders, acting with faith when others might fear.

Mark 6 29 Commentary

Mark 6:29 quietly captures a moment of profound faithfulness amidst grotesque injustice. While Herod's court celebrated an unholy triumph, drenched in a rash oath and John's blood, his devoted followers undertook the somber, yet profoundly courageous, duty of burying their master. This was no mere logistical act; it was a potent declaration of reverence and enduring identity. They recognized John not as a common criminal, but as the beloved prophet and teacher whose memory they honored even in his undignified death. This scene starkly highlights the chasm between worldly power, often wielded unjustly to suppress truth, and the unwavering devotion of those aligned with divine truth. It serves as the definitive earthly end of John's preparatory ministry, subtly signaling the complete emergence of Jesus as the central figure, building upon the foundational prophetic work John had so faithfully completed. The quiet, reverent act of burying the forerunner here powerfully foreshadows the similar faithful actions of disciples ensuring a respectful burial for Jesus Himself, a parallel emphasizing continuity in suffering and devotion among God's servants. It teaches that even in the face of brutal oppression, quiet acts of dignity and faithfulness hold profound spiritual significance. For example, it echoes the often unseen steadfastness of believers caring for the persecuted or the bereaved, driven by principle and love, even when such acts might carry personal risk or are far from public acclaim.