Mark 6:20

Mark 6:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
• New International Version (NIV)because 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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.
• New King James Version (NKJV)for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

Context of Mark 6:20

18For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful [under Mosaic Law] for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19Herodias had a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she could not, because Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he continually kept him safe. When he heard John [speak], he was very perplexed; but he enjoyed listening to him. 21But an opportune time [finally] came [for Herodias]. Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his officials (nobles, courtiers) and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22Now [Salome] the daughter of Herodias came in and danced [for the men]. She pleased and beguiled Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.”

Mark 6:20 word by word

ὁ γὰρ Ἡρῴδης ἐφοβεῖτο τὸν Ἰωάννην εἰδὼς αὐτὸν ἄνδρα δίκαιον καὶ ἅγιον καὶ συνετήρει αὐτόν. καὶ ἀκούσας αὐτοῦ πολλὰ ἠπόρει, καὶ ἡδέως αὐτοῦ ἤκουεν.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• HerodἩρώδηςHērōdēs · HerodG2264
• fearedφοβέωphobeō · to fearG5399
• JohnἸωάννηςIōannēs · JohnG2491
• knowingεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• that heαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• was a justδίκαιοςdikaios · justG1342
• manἀνήρanēr · manG435
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• an holyἅγιοςhagios · holyG40
• observedσυντηρέωsuntēreō · to preserveG4933
• when he heardἀκούωakouō · to hearG191
• he didποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• many thingsπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• gladlyἡδέωςhēdeōs · gladlyG2234

Cross-references for Mark 6:20

• Mark 11:18The chief priests and the scribes heard this and began searching for a way to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, since the entire crowd was struck with astonishment at His teaching.
• Exodus 11:3The Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was greatly esteemed in the land of Egypt, [both] in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.
• 1 Kings 21:20Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” And he answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the Lord.
• 2 Kings 3:12Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to Elisha.
• 2 Kings 6:21When the king of Israel (Jehoram) saw them, he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?”
• 2 Kings 13:14Now Elisha had become sick with the illness by which he would die. And Joash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over him and said, “O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!”
• 2 Chronicles 24:2Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest [his uncle].
• 2 Chronicles 26:5He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought (inquired of, longing for) the Lord, God caused him to prosper.
• Ezekiel 2:5As for them, whether they listen or refuse [to listen]—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know and be fully aware of the fact that there has been a prophet among them.
• Daniel 4:18This is the dream which I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, explain its meaning, since none of the wise men of my kingdom are able to reveal its interpretation to me; but you are able, for a spirit of the holy gods is in you.’
• Daniel 5:17Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the writing to the king and reveal the interpretation to him.
• Matthew 14:5Although Herod wished to have him put to death, he feared the people, for they regarded John as a prophet.
• Matthew 21:26But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the [response of the] crowd; for they all regard John as a prophet.”
• Mark 4:16In a similar way these [in the second group] are the ones on whom seed was sown on rocky ground, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy [but accept it only superficially];
• Psalms 106:12Then Israel believed in [the validity of] His words; They sang His praise.
• Ezekiel 33:32Behold, you are to them like a love song by one who has a pleasant voice and plays well on a stringed instrument [merely to entertain them]; for they hear your words but do not practice them.

Commentaries on Mark 6:20

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14-20Verses 14-20 See this account of the death of John the Baptist fully explained in the notes at Matthew 14:1-12. Mark 6:20 For Herod feared John - That is, he stood in awe of him on account of his sanctity, and his boldness and fearlessness in reproving sin. Knowing that he was a just man and an Holy - A holy, pious, upright, honest man - a man who would not be afraid of him, or afraid to speak his real sentiments. And observed him - Margin, “kept him, or…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-29Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19-28Herodias's role in John the Baptist's murder is similar to the story of Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1–2). Like Jezebel, she pushed for the death of a prophet. Herod gave in to pressure (Mark 6:26–28). This points ahead to what Pontius Pilate later did. Pilate ordered that Jesus be put to death even though he believed Jesus was innocent (compare 6:20, 25–28 with 15:6–15).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. For Herod feared John--but, as Bengel notes, John feared not Herod. knowing that he was a just man and an holy--Compare the case of Elijah with Ahab, after the murder of Naboth (1Ki 21:20). and observed him--rather, as in the Margin, "kept" or "saved him"; that is, from the wicked designs of Herodias, who had been watching for some pretext to get Herod entangled and committed to despatch him. and when he heard him, he did many things--many good things…Read the comment

Topics related to Mark 6:20

• Herod
• John
• Martyrdom
• Minister, Christian
• Politics
• Revenge
• Women

In the dictionaries

• Herod
• Herod, Herod Antipas
• Herod, Herod the Great
• Estate
• Fifty
• Folk
• Herodias
• Machaerus
• Miracle
• Quarrel

Commentaries on Mark 6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings