Mark 6:26

26 The king was consumed with sorrow, but because of his oaths and his 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 Then she went out and asked her mother, “What should I request?” And her mother answered, “The head of John the Baptist.”

25 At once the girl hurried back to the king with her request: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.”

26 The king was consumed with sorrow, but because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her.

27 So without delay, the king commanded that John’s head be brought in. He sent an executioner, who went and beheaded him in the prison.

28 The man brought John’s head on a platter and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother.