New International VersionSo he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison,
New Living TranslationSo he immediately sent an executioner to the prison to cut off John’s head and bring it to him. The soldier beheaded John in the prison,
English Standard VersionAnd immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison
Berean Standard BibleSo without delay, the king commanded that John’s head be brought in. He sent an executioner, who went and beheaded him in the prison.
Berean Literal BibleAnd immediately the king, having sent an executioner, commanded to be brought his head. And having gone, he beheaded him in the prison,
King James BibleAnd immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
New King James VersionImmediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison,
New American Standard BibleImmediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and beheaded him in the prison,
NASB 1995Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and had him beheaded in the prison,
NASB 1977And immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and had him beheaded in the prison,
Legacy Standard BibleAnd immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and beheaded him in the prison,
Amplified BibleSo the king immediately sent for an executioner and commanded him to bring back John’s head. And he went and had John beheaded in the prison,
Christian Standard BibleThe king immediately sent for an executioner and commanded him to bring John’s head. So he went and beheaded him in prison,
Holman Christian Standard BibleThe king immediately sent for an executioner and commanded him to bring John’s head. So he went and beheaded him in prison,
American Standard VersionAnd straightway the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring his head: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
Contemporary English VersionAt once he ordered a guard to cut off John's head there in prison.
English Revised VersionAnd straightway the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring his head: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
GOD'S WORD® TranslationImmediately, the king sent a guard and ordered him to bring John's head. The guard cut off John's head in prison.
Good News TranslationSo he sent off a guard at once with orders to bring John's head. The guard left, went to the prison, and cut John's head off;
International Standard VersionSo without delay the king sent a soldier and ordered him to bring John's head. The soldier went and beheaded him in prison.
NET BibleSo the king sent an executioner at once to bring John's head, and he went and beheaded John in prison.
New Heart English BibleSo immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John's head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
Weymouth New TestamentHe at once sent a soldier of his guard with orders to bring John's head. So he went and beheaded him in the prison, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo without delay, the king commanded that John’s head be brought in. He sent an executioner, who went and beheaded him in the prison.
World English BibleImmediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard and commanded to bring John’s head; and he went and beheaded him in the prison, Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand immediately the king having sent a guardsman, commanded his head to be brought,
Berean Literal BibleAnd immediately the king, having sent an executioner, commanded to be brought his head. And having gone, he beheaded him in the prison,
Young's Literal Translation and immediately the king having sent a guardsman, did command his head to be brought,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd quickly the king, having sent a scout, commanded his head to be brought: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut sending an executioner, he commanded that his head should be brought in a dish.
Catholic Public Domain VersionSo, having sent an executioner, he instructed that his head be brought on a platter.
New American BibleSo he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
New Revised Standard VersionImmediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo the king immediately sent the executioner, and commanded to bring the head of John. And he went and beheaded John in the prison,
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishThe King sent the executioner at once and commanded to bring the head of Yohannan and he went and cut off the head of Yohannan in the prison. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd the king immediately sent one of his guards, and commanded his head to be brought.
Godbey New TestamentAnd the king immediately sending forth a soldier of his guard, commanded that his head should be brought.
Haweis New TestamentAnd the king immediately sending a centinel, commanded his head to be brought thither: and he went, and beheaded him in the prison,
Mace New Testamentbut immediately dispatch'd the proper officer with orders to bring the head of John the Baptist.
Weymouth New TestamentHe at once sent a soldier of his guard with orders to bring John's head. So he went and beheaded him in the prison,
Worrell New TestamentAnd the king, straightway sending off one of his guard, gave orders to bring his head; and, departing, he beheaded him in the prison,
Worsley New Testamentand ordered his head to be brought:
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Beheading of John… 26The king was consumed with sorrow, but because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27Sowithout delay,thekingcommanded thatJohn’sheadbe brought in.He sentan executioner,who wentand beheadedhimintheprison.28The man brought John’s head on a platter and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother.…
Cross References Matthew 14:10and sent to have John beheaded in the prison.
Matthew 11:11Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Luke 9:9“I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this man I hear such things about?” And he kept trying to see Jesus.
John 3:24(For John had not yet been thrown into prison.)
Acts 12:1-2About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church. / He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
Revelation 20:4Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
2 Kings 6:32Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?”
1 Samuel 22:18-19So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. / He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.
2 Chronicles 24:21But they conspired against Zechariah, and by order of the king, they stoned him in the courtyard of the house of the LORD.
Jeremiah 26:23They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who had him put to the sword and his body thrown into the burial place of the common people.
Daniel 3:19-20At this, Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave orders to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual, / and he commanded some mighty men of valor in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing fiery furnace.
Esther 7:9-10Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said: “There is a gallows fifty cubits high at Haman’s house. He had it built for Mordecai, who gave the report that saved the king.” “Hang him on it!” declared the king. / So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the fury of the king subsided.
Genesis 40:19Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. Then the birds will eat the flesh of your body.”
1 Kings 19:2So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I have not made your life like the lives of those you killed!”
2 Kings 1:9-10Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’” / Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men.
Treasury of Scripture And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, the king. Matthew 14:10,11 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison… an executioner. Jump to Previous ArmedBeheadedCommandCommandedForthGuardHeadImmediatelyJohnJohn'sOnceOrderOrderedOrdersPrisonSoldierStraightStraightwayJump to Next ArmedBeheadedCommandCommandedForthGuardHeadImmediatelyJohnJohn'sOnceOrderOrderedOrdersPrisonSoldierStraightStraightwayMark 6 1.Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country.7.He gives the twelve power over unclean spirits.14.Various opinions of Jesus.16.John the Baptist is imprisoned, beheaded, and buried.30.The apostles return from preaching.34.The miracle of five loaves and two fishes.45.Jesus walks on the sea;53.and heals all who touch him.So without delayThis phrase indicates the urgency and immediacy of Herod's decision. Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, was known for his impulsive and often morally questionable decisions. The immediacy reflects Herod's fear of losing face in front of his guests after making a rash promise to Herodias' daughter. This aligns with the cultural importance of honor and shame in the ancient Near East, where a ruler's word was binding and public perception was crucial. the king commanded
Although Herod Antipas is referred to as a king here, he was technically a tetrarch, a ruler of a quarter of a province. The title "king" is used informally, reflecting his authority in the region. This command shows Herod's absolute power over life and death, a power that was often abused by rulers of the time. It also highlights the political tension and moral corruption present in Herod's court. that John’s head be brought in
John the Baptist was a significant prophetic figure, preparing the way for Jesus Christ. His beheading is a stark reminder of the cost of prophetic ministry and the opposition faced by those who speak truth to power. This act of bringing John's head on a platter was a gruesome fulfillment of Herodias' vengeful request, illustrating the depth of her animosity towards John for condemning her marriage to Herod. He sent an executioner
The executioner, likely a member of Herod's guard, was tasked with carrying out the king's orders. This reflects the Roman influence on Herod's rule, as executioners were common in Roman judicial practices. The presence of an executioner in Herod's court underscores the harsh realities of justice and punishment during this period. who went and beheaded him in the prison
John's imprisonment and subsequent execution took place in the fortress of Machaerus, located east of the Dead Sea. This fortress served as a prison and a place of execution, highlighting the precariousness of John's situation. The act of beheading was a common method of execution, symbolizing the silencing of John's prophetic voice. This event foreshadows the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, who also faced opposition from political and religious authorities. Persons / Places / Events 1. King Herod AntipasThe ruler of Galilee and Perea, known for his moral weaknesses and political maneuvering. He ordered the execution of John the Baptist. 2. John the BaptistA prophet and forerunner of Jesus Christ, known for his call to repentance and his baptism of Jesus. He was imprisoned and executed by Herod. 3. ExecutionerA servant of Herod tasked with carrying out the beheading of John the Baptist. 4. PrisonThe location where John the Baptist was held and ultimately executed. 5. HerodiasThe wife of Herod, who harbored a grudge against John for condemning her marriage to Herod, which was unlawful according to Jewish law. Teaching Points The Cost of DiscipleshipJohn the Baptist's unwavering commitment to truth and righteousness led to his martyrdom. As followers of Christ, we must be prepared to face opposition and sacrifice for our faith. The Danger of Unchecked SinHerod's moral failings and Herodias' vindictiveness illustrate how unchecked sin can lead to destructive actions. We must guard our hearts and seek repentance. The Power of InfluenceHerodias' influence over Herod demonstrates the impact others can have on our decisions. We should surround ourselves with godly influences and seek wisdom from the Holy Spirit. God's Sovereignty in SufferingDespite the tragic circumstances, God’s purposes are not thwarted. John’s death, though unjust, was part of God’s larger redemptive plan. We can trust God’s sovereignty even in suffering. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Mark 6:27?
2.How does Mark 6:27 illustrate the consequences of ungodly leadership decisions?
3.What can we learn about the value of human life from Mark 6:27?
4.How does Mark 6:27 connect with the theme of martyrdom in Scripture?
5.How should Mark 6:27 influence our response to unjust authority today?
6.What steps can we take to stand firm in faith like John the Baptist?
7.Why did Herod order John the Baptist's beheading in Mark 6:27?
8.How does Mark 6:27 reflect on the abuse of power?
9.What does Mark 6:27 reveal about Herod's character?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 6?
11.Are there any historical or archeological records supporting a mass execution in Jerusalem as described in Ezekiel 9?
12.What led to John the Baptist's beheading?
13.What does the Bible say about beheadings?
14.Who was Herod Antipas in biblical history?What Does Mark 6:27 Mean So without delay, the king commanded• Herod’s instantaneous response underscores how a sinful promise (Mark 6:23) can lock a person into further sin when pride rules the heart (Proverbs 29:25). • Scripture shows other rulers who acted hastily and regrettably—think of Saul’s rash oath in1 Samuel 14:24 or Darius rushing into the lions’-den decree inDaniel 6:14–16. • The verse’s opening teaches that delay is sometimes a grace; hasty decisions often magnify unrighteousness (Proverbs 19:2).
That John’s head be brought in• Herod treats John not as God’s prophet (Mark 1:4–8) but as a party favor to impress guests (Matthew 14:9). • The demand for visible proof mirrors wicked requests elsewhere—like the Philistines asking for Samson to entertain them (Judges 16:25). • By objectifying John’s life in this way, Herod ignoresGenesis 1:27’s declaration of every person’s God-given dignity.
He sent an executioner• Delegating the deed may soothe Herod’s conscience, yet it does not remove guilt (2 Samuel 11:14–17, where David uses Joab to dispose of Uriah). • Government officials bear the sword as God’s servants for justice (Romans 13:4), but here the sword is wielded in blatant injustice. • The verse reminds believers that authority is accountable to the Lord; misuse invites divine judgment (Psalm 2:10–12).
Who went and beheaded him in the prison• The quiet cell that once echoed with prophetic truth (Mark 6:20) becomes the scene of martyrdom—echoing Abel’s blood crying out from the ground (Genesis 4:10). • John’s death fulfills Jesus’ earlier warning that prophets are not spared (Matthew 23:34–35) and foreshadows Christ’s own unjust execution (Mark 15:14–15). • The moment also picturesRevelation 6:9-11, where the souls of beheaded witnesses are honored in heaven—God sees every act of faithful suffering.
summaryMark 6:27 records Herod’s swift, pride-driven order, the dehumanizing demand for John’s head, the misuse of delegated power, and the brutal execution of a righteous man. The verse starkly contrasts worldly authority’s corruption with God’s unwavering justice, reminding believers to guard their words, resist peer pressure, and stand firm like John, knowing that earthly loss is heavenly gain. (27) An executioner.--St. Mark uses a Latin word, speculator, a word which, originally meaning "watchman" or "sentinel," had come to be applied by Latin writers of the time specifically to soldiers employed, as in this instance, as couriers or messengers (Suet. Caligula, c. 44; Tacit. Hist. xi. 73). Verse 27. - He sent forth anexecutioner ( σπεκουλάτωρα); literally, a soldier of his guard; one of his body-guard, in constant attendance as messenger or executioner. It is a Roman word from speculari, to watch. St. Jerome relates that when the head of the Baptist was brought, Herodias barbarously thrust the tongue through with a bodkin, as Fulvia is said to have done over and over again, the tongue of Cicero; thus verifying what Cicero had once said while living, that "nothing is more revengeful than a woman." Because they could not bear to hear the truth, therefore they bored through with a bodkin the tongue that had spoken the truth.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Soκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.without delay,εὐθὺς(euthys)Adverb
Strong's 2112:Immediately, soon, at once. Adverb from euthus; directly, i.e. At once or soon.theὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.kingβασιλεὺς(basileus)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 935:A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.commanded thatἐπέταξεν(epetaxen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2004:To give order, command, charge. From epi and tasso; to arrange upon, i.e. Order.John’sαὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.headκεφαλὴν(kephalēn)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2776:From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively.be brought in.ἐνέγκαι(enenkai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 5342:To carry, bear, bring; I conduct, lead; perhaps: I make publicly known. A primary verb.He sentἀποστείλας(aposteilas)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 649:From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively.an executionerσπεκουλάτορα(spekoulatora)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4688:A body-guardsman; an executioner. Of Latin origin; a speculator, i.e. Military scout (by extension) life-guardsman).who wentἀπελθὼν(apelthōn)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 565:From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.[and] beheadedἀπεκεφάλισεν(apekephalisen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 607:To behead. From apo and kephale; to decapitate.himαὐτὸν(auton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.theτῇ(tē)Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.prison.φυλακῇ(phylakē)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5438:From phulasso; a guarding or, the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or, the time, literally or figuratively.
Links Mark 6:27 NIVMark 6:27 NLTMark 6:27 ESVMark 6:27 NASBMark 6:27 KJV
Mark 6:27 BibleApps.comMark 6:27 Biblia ParalelaMark 6:27 Chinese BibleMark 6:27 French BibleMark 6:27 Catholic Bible
NT Gospels: Mark 6:27 Immediately the king sent out a soldier (Mar Mk Mr) |
