Mark 6:18 Commentary and Bible Study

Because of John’s rebuke Herodias had a quarrel against him – well that is putting it mildly: the Greek says something like a grudge – ‘and would have killed him’ – not herself, obviously, but she tried to get Herod to kill him. However she could not: Herod would not do it. Why not? ‘For Herod feared John,’ – let's say, he stood in awe of him – ‘knowing that he was a just man and an holy.’ He knew there was no fault in John. John the Baptist was a holy man and righteous. ‘And observed him.’ That is a curious word. The Greek is ‘he kept him’; that's much clearer. I think in the days of the King James translators the word ‘observed’ could be used to mean ‘kept’, but it doesn't mean that now. That’s the word – ‘he kept him’ – in other words he protected him. He kept his life. To placate Herodias he had him dreadfully treated, but he didn't have him executed. He was a man without principles, a coward. He had these two influences working on him at the same time. He pandered to Herodias, even in her wickedness, and yet natural conviction held him back from taking John’s life. So he kept him. ‘And when he heard him’ – listen to this – ‘he did many things.’ Herod Antipas mended some of his ways. He responded to the preaching of John, and heard him gladly. What a mix-up. Herod Antipas, cunning and cruel, but he felt that the words of John were wise and true. This mysterious message about walking with God and salvation, and the need for forgiveness even, and the need to get rid of the burden of conscience, over the things he had done: this made sense, and he stood in awe of John, and therefore couldn't take his life.