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Scott's Reference Library
Mark 6:14 through Mark 6:29 (NIV)
14King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some
were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why
miraculous powers are at work in him.”
15Others said, “He is Elijah.”
And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long
ago.”
16But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has been raised
from the dead!”
17For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound
and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
whom he had married. 18For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for
you to have your brother’s wife.” 19So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and
wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20because Herod feared John and
protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard
John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.
21Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his
high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22When
the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner
guests.
The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to
you.” 23And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up
to half my kingdom.”
24She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”
“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.
25At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give
me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
26The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner
guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27So he immediately sent an executioner
with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison,
28and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she
gave it to her mother. 29On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his
body and laid it in a tomb.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 14-29
Herod feared John while he lived, and feared him still more when he was dead.
Herod did many of those things which John in his preaching taught him; but it is
not enough to do many things, we must have respect to all the commandments.
Herod respected John, till he touched him in his Herodias. Thus many love good
preaching, if it keep far away from their beloved sin. But it is better that
sinners persecute ministers now for faithfulness, than curse them eternally for
unfaithfulness. The ways of God are unsearchable; but we may be sure he never
can be at a loss to repay his servants for what they endure or lose for his
sake. Death could not come so as to surprise this holy man; and the triumph of
the wicked was short.