Mark 6:26

26 Though the king was deeply distressed, because of his oaths and the guests^[a] 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 said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" "John the Baptist's head!" she said.

25 Immediately she hurried to the king and said, "I want you to give me John the Baptist's head on a platter-right now!"

26 Though the king was deeply distressed, because of his oaths and the guests he did not want to refuse her.

27 The king immediately sent for an executioner and commanded him to bring John's head. So he went and beheaded him in prison,

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

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit and those reclining at the table