Mark 6:26

26 Although the king was upset, because of his solemn pledge 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 She left the banquet hall and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" "John the Baptist's head," Herodias replied.

25 Hurrying back to the ruler, she made her request: "I want you to give me John the Baptist's head on a plate, right this minute."

26 Although the king was upset, because of his solemn pledge and his guests, he didn't want to refuse her.

27 So he ordered a guard to bring John's head. The guard went to the prison, cut off John's head,

28 brought his head on a plate, and gave it to the young woman, and she gave it to her mother.