Lords - Μεγιστασιν , probably governors of particular districts. High captains - Χιλιαρχοις ; literally, chiefs or captains over a thousand men, military chiefs. Chief estates - Πρωτοις ; probably such as might be called nobles by title only, having no office civil or military; probably magistrates. See Kypke an the place. read more
Unto the half of my kingdom - A noble price for a dance! This extravagance in favor of female dancers has the fullest scope in the east, even to the present day. M. Anquetil du Perron, in the preliminary discourse to his Zend Avesta, p. 344 and 345, gives a particular account of the dancers at Surat. This account cannot be transcribed in a comment on the Gospel of God, however illustrative it might be of the conduct of Herodias and her daughter Salome: it is too abominable for a place here.... read more
For their sakes which sat with him - Probably these persons joined in with the request, and were glad of this opportunity to get this light of Israel extinguished; he being a public reprover of all their vices. read more
Verse 24 Mark 6:24.And she went out, and said to her mother We need not wonder that Herodias attached so much importance to John’s death. (367) The conjecture thrown out by some—that she was actuated by revenge,—is not at all probable. It was rather the dread of being cast off that inflamed and tormented her; as it usually happens that, when adulterers are visited with feelings of uneasiness, they become ashamed of their own lust. But she hoped that this crime would bind Herod more closely to... read more
Verse 26 26.And the king being sorry. His heart, as we have said, was no longer influenced by religious sentiments; but, foreseeing the detestation that will be excited by such a crime, he dreads both the loss of character and positive harm, and consequently repents of his levity. And yet he has not the courage to give a refusal to a dancing girl, lest he should incur the reproach of unsteadiness; as if it were more dishonorable to retract a rash and foolish promise than to persist in a heinous... read more
Verse 28 28.And gave it to the girl. It was an additional aggravation of this detestable crime, that the head of the holy man was made, after his death, a matter of sport. But in this way the Lord sometimes gives up his people to the pride of wicked men, till he at length makes it evident that their blood is precious in his sight (Psalms 116:15.) Herodias is delighted with the thought of having gained her wicked purpose, and cruelly triumphs over her reprover; but when afterwards, stripped of... read more
This Herod is called by St. Matthew ( Matthew 14:1 ) "the tetrarch;" and so also by St. Luke ( Luke 9:7 ); though it should be noticed that St. Matthew, in the same context, at Verse 9, calls him "king." The word "tetrarch" properly means the sovereign or ruler of the fourth part of a territory. He is known as Herod Anti-pus, son of Herod the Great, who had appointed him "tetrarch" of Galilee and Peraea. Herod Antipas had married the daughter of Arctas, King of Arabia, but deserted her for... read more
Accounting for Christ. Interesting as a photograph of contemporary opinion. Abrupt, picturesque, graphic. "He said" (" they said," in some ancient authorities, as in Luke) is to be understood impersonally or of Herod. If the latter, the very repetition of Herod's statement, in Mark 6:16 , gives us fresh insight into the workings of Herod's mind. I. THERE IS EVEN A VARIETY OF OPINION IN THE WORLD ABOUT CHRIST . Whenever he is heard of human thought is exercised... read more
Wonder and fancy. Incidentally how much light on human nature do we gain from the Gospels! I. PERSONAL FORCE ALWAYS ATTRACTS ATTENTION . The man cannot be hidden. Even the "lion" of the hour merely is an expression of spiritual force. Who is he? whence came he? II. THE POPULAR CONSCIENCE RECOGNIZES THE FORCE OF CHARACTER . They felt that something new had come into the world of thought and feeling. It is always worth while taking note of the direction of... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 6:19
Would have killed - Εζητει , Sought to kill him. C and five of the Itala. See the whole of this account, from Mark 6:17-29 , explained on Matthew 14:2-12 ; (note). read more