Mark 6:26

26 Although the king was very sad, he had made a promise, and his dinner guests had heard it. So he did not want to refuse what she asked.

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 The girl went to her mother and asked, "What should I ask for?" Her mother answered, "Ask for the head of John the Baptist."

25 At once the girl went back to the king and said to him, "I want the head of John the Baptist right now on a platter."

26 Although the king was very sad, he had made a promise, and his dinner guests had heard it. So he did not want to refuse what she asked.

27 Immediately the king sent a soldier to bring John's head. The soldier went and cut off John's head in the prison

28 and brought it back on a platter. He gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.