Mark 6:26

26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not 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 She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer."

25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."

26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her.

27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison,

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