Mark 6:26

26 The king was very upset. But he thought of his promise and his dinner guests. So he did not want to say no to the girl.

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 She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" "The head of John the Baptist," she answered.

25 At once the girl hurried to ask the king. She said, "I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a big plate right now."

26 The king was very upset. But he thought of his promise and his dinner guests. So he did not want to say no to the girl.

27 He sent a man right away to bring John's head. The man went to the prison and cut off John's head.

28 He brought it back on a big plate. He gave it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.