English Standard Version
Mark 6:20
20for 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.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.
Context of Mark 6:20
18For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 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. 21But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you."
Read all of Mark 6Mark 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 11:18And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching.
- Exodus 11:3And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, 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?" He answered, "I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord.
- 2 Kings 3:12And Jehoshaphat said, "The word of the Lord is with him." So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
- 2 Kings 6:21As soon as the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, "My father, shall I strike them down? Shall I strike them down?"
- 2 Kings 13:14Now when Elisha had fallen sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash king of Israel went down to him and wept before him, crying, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!"
- 2 Chronicles 24:2And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
- 2 Chronicles 26:5He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.
- Ezekiel 2:5And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.
- Daniel 4:18This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you."
- Daniel 5:17Then Daniel answered and said before the king, "Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation.
- Matthew 14:5And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet.
- Matthew 21:26But if we say, 'From man,' we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet."
- Mark 4:16And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy.
- Psalms 106:12Then they believed his words; they sang his praise.
- Ezekiel 33:32And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it.
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
In the dictionaries
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries