Mark 6:26

26 The king deeply regretted his promise. But because of his oath and his guests, he didn't want to refuse 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 So she went out and asked her mother, "What should I ask for?" Her mother said, "Ask for the head of John the Baptizer."

25 So the girl hurried back to the king with her request. She said, "I want you to give me the head of John the Baptizer on a platter at once."

26 The king deeply regretted his promise. But because of his oath and his guests, he didn't want to refuse her.

27 Immediately, the king sent a guard and ordered him to bring John's head. The guard cut off John's head in prison.

28 Then he brought the head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.