And immediately the king sent an executioner ,.... See Gill on Matthew 14:10 . and commanded his head to be brought ; ordered him to cut off his head in prison, and bring it away forthwith in a charger to him: and he went and beheaded him in the prison ; according to his orders. read more
And brought his head in a charger ,.... In a large dish, to Herod, who gave it to the damsel ; the daughter of Herodias, as she had requested: and the damsel gave it to her mother ; who had instigated her to it; See Gill on Matthew 14:11 . read more
And when his disciples heard of it ,.... That is, when the disciples of John heard of this barbarous execution of their master, they came ; to the prison in the castle of Machaerus, and took up his corpse ; the trunk of his body; for his head was carried away, to glut the revenge of Herodias; and laid it in a tomb ; See Gill on Matthew 14:12 . read more
And the apostles gathered themselves together ,.... The twelve apostles of Christ, whom he had sent out, two by two, into different parts, having gone through them, and finished the embassy, they were sent about, met together in one place, and came in a body together, unto Jesus ; their Lord and master, who had sent them, and to whom they were accountable, as all the ministers of the Gospel are: and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught ; they gave... read more
And he said unto them ,.... After he had heard their account, was satisfied with it, and approved of what they had said and done: come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while : where they might be free from noise and hurry, and take some rest and refreshment, after their wearisome journey, hard labours, and great fatigue in preaching and working miracles; which shows the great compassion, tenderness, and care of Christ, for his disciples: for there were many coming... read more
And they departed into a desert place ,.... Which belonged to the city of Bethsaida, Luke 9:10 , by ship, privately ; over some part of the sea of Tiberias, this place lying on a more remote side of it. read more
And the people saw them departing ,.... The multitude that came to and fro, saw Christ and his disciples taking ship, and launching off; for though they were as private as could be, and intended to have gone in a very private manner, yet the people observed them: and many knew him : Jesus; some copies read, "them"; and so do the Syriac and Ethiopic versions; they knew both Christ and his disciples, though they were in the ship, and at some distance: and ran afoot thither out of all... read more
And Jesus, when he came out ,.... Of the ship, and was got ashore, saw much people ; who came partly from the places where he came from, and partly from the cities and towns adjacent: and was moved with compassion towards them ; See Gill on Matthew 14:14 , the reason follows, because they were as sheep, not having a shepherd . Christ observed, that they were hungering and thirsting after the word of righteousness, and had no faithful, spiritual pastors to feed them with... read more
And when the day was now far spent ,.... Or "much time was gone", in teaching the people, and healing the sick: his disciples came unto him ; nearer to him, as he was preaching, or healing the sick; and said, this is a desert place, and now the time is far passed ; See Gill on Matthew 14:15 . read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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... read more