Mark 6:26

26 Then the King, though intensely sorry, yet for the sake of his oaths, and of his guests, would not break faith with 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 at once went out and said to her mother: "What shall I ask for?" "The head of John the Baptizer," she replied.

25 The girl immediately came in, in haste, to the King and made her request. "My desire is," she said, "that you will give me, here and now, on a dish, the head of John the Baptist."

26 Then the King, though intensely sorry, yet for the sake of his oaths, and of his guests, would not break faith with her.

27 He at once sent a soldier of his guard with orders to bring John's head. So he went and beheaded him in the prison,

28 and brought his head on a dish and gave it to the young girl, who gave it to her mother.