Mark 6:26

26 And the king was exceedingly sorry, yet for his oath's sake and for their sakes who sat with him, he would not reject 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 And she went forth and said unto her mother, "What shall I ask?" And Herodias said, "The head of John the Baptist."

25 And she came back straightway with haste unto the king and asked, saying, "I will that thou give me at once on a charger the head of John the Baptist."

26 And the king was exceedingly sorry, yet for his oath's sake and for their sakes who sat with him, he would not reject her.

27 And immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded John's head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison,

28 and brought his head on a charger and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother.