Mark 6:26

26 And the king was very sad; but because of his oaths, and those who were with him at table, he would not say 'No' to her.

Mark 6:26 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 6:26

And the king was exceeding sorry
(See Gill on Matthew 14:9)

yet for his oath's sake, [and] for their sakes which sat with him;
as Matthew adds, "at meat", ( Matthew 14:9 ) ; for it seems as if supper was not over, when all this was transacting.

He would not reject her;
deny her her request, or send her away without granting it which could not be without grieving her, and treating her with contempt, and defrauding her of the promise; all which ideas are expressed by some versions.

Mark 6:26 In-Context

24 And she went out and said to her mother, What is my request to be? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

25 And she came in quickly to the king, and said, My desire is that you give me straight away on a plate the head of John the Baptist.

26 And the king was very sad; but because of his oaths, and those who were with him at table, he would not say 'No' to her.

27 And straight away the king sent out one of his armed men, and gave him an order to come back with the head: and he went and took off John's head in prison,

28 And came back with the head on a plate, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.