Mark 6:18

Mark 6:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.
• New International Version (NIV)For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."
• New King James Version (NKJV)Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

Context of Mark 6:18

16But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead!” 17For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!” 19So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she had been unable, 20because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed; yet he listened to him gladly.

Mark 6:18 word by word

ἔλεγεν γὰρ ὁ Ἰωάννης τῷ Ἡρῴδῃ ὅτι οὐκ ἔξεστίν σοι ἔχειν τὴν γυναῖκα τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου.Read the interlinear

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• JohnἸωάννηςIōannēs · JohnG2491
• had been tellingεἶπονepō · to sayG2036
• HerodἩρώδηςHērōdēs · HerodG2264
• ·ὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• It is not lawfulοὐou · noG3756
• It is not lawfulἔξεστι, ἐξόνexesti · be permittedG1832
• for youσύsu · youG4771
• to haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• brother’sἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• wifeγυνήgunē · woman: wifeG1135

Cross-references for Mark 6:18

• Leviticus 18:16You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would shame your brother.
• Leviticus 20:21If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity. He has uncovered the nakedness of his brother; they shall be childless.
• 1 Kings 22:14But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever the LORD tells me.”
• Ezekiel 3:18If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood.
• Matthew 14:3Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
• Acts 20:26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
• Acts 24:24After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

Commentaries on Mark 6:18

• 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. 18Mark explains the moral and religious reason for the arrest and execution of John the Baptist. The Jewish historian Josephus gives a political reason instead. He says Herod feared that John’s popularity might lead to a rebellion (Josephus, Antiquities 18.5.2). In a similar way, the charges against Jesus began as religious concerns (Mark 14:63–64). But when he was brought before Pontius Pilate, the charges became political (15:2; Luke 23:2–3). It is not…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife--Noble fidelity! It was not lawful because Herod's wife and Herodias' husband were both living; and further, because the parties were within the forbidden degrees of consanguinity (see Le 20:21); Herodias being the daughter of Aristobulus, the brother of both Herod and Philip [Josephus, Antiquities, 18.5,4].Read the comment

Topics related to Mark 6:18

• Adultery
• Herod
• Incest
• John
• Marriage
• Martyrdom
• Minister, Christian
• Politics
• Reproof
• Women

In the dictionaries

• Herod
• Herod, Herod Antipas
• Herod, Herod the Great
• Brother's Wife
• Estate
• Fifty
• Folk
• Herodias
• Machaerus
• Miracle

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