Mark 6:17

17 For Herod had sent soldiers to arrest and imprison John as a favor to Herodias. She had been his brother Philip’s wife, but Herod had married her.

Mark 6:17 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 6:17

For Herod himself had sent forth
Some of his guard, a detachment of soldiers,

and laid hold upon John;
who seized upon him, and took him up:

and bound him in prison;
in the castle of Machaerus:

for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife, for he had married
her;
whilst his brother was living, and who had had children by her; (See Gill on Matthew 14:3).

Mark 6:17 In-Context

15 Others said, “He’s the prophet Elijah.” Still others said, “He’s a prophet like the other great prophets of the past.”

16 When Herod heard about Jesus, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has come back from the dead.”

17 For Herod had sent soldiers to arrest and imprison John as a favor to Herodias. She had been his brother Philip’s wife, but Herod had married her.

18 John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry your brother’s wife.”

19 So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod’s approval she was powerless,