Mark 6:26

26 Herod was appalled; but out of regard for the oaths he had sworn before his dinner guests, he did not want to break his word to 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 So she went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She said, "The head of Yochanan the Immerser."

25 At once the daughter hurried back to the king and announced her request: "I want you to give me right now on a platter the head of Yochanan the Immerser."

26 Herod was appalled; but out of regard for the oaths he had sworn before his dinner guests, he did not want to break his word to her.

27 So the king immediately sent a soldier from his personal guard with orders to bring Yochanan's head. The soldier went and beheaded Yochanan in the prison,

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