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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Mark 6:18 For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife!"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/mark/6-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/41_Mrk_06_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Mark 6:18 - The Beheading of John" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For John had been telling Herod, It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife!" /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/mark/6-17.htm" title="Mark 6:17">◄</a> Mark 6:18 <a href="/mark/6-19.htm" title="Mark 6:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/mark/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/mark/6.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For John had been saying to Herod, &#8220It is not lawful for you to have your brother&#8217s wife.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/mark/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry your brother’s wife.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/mark/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/mark/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/mark/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/mark/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/mark/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/mark/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For John had been saying to Herod, &#8220It is not lawful for you to have your brother&#8217s wife.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/mark/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/mark/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/mark/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful [under Mosaic Law] for you to have your brother’s wife.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/mark/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/mark/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />John had been telling Herod, &#8220It is not lawful for you to have your brother&#8217s wife!&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/mark/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For John said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/mark/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For John said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/mark/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />John had been telling Herod, "It's not right for you to be married to your brother's wife."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/mark/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />John the Baptist kept telling Herod, "It isn't right for you to marry your brother's wife!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/mark/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />John had been telling Herod, "It's not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/mark/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For John had been telling Herod, ?It is not lawful for you to have your brother?s wife!?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/mark/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For John had repeatedly told Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/mark/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/mark/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For John had said to Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For John had repeatedly told Herod, "You have no right to be living with your brother's wife."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/mark/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/mark/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />for John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have the wife of your brother”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/mark/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for John said to Herod -- 'It is not lawful to thee to have the wife of thy brother;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/mark/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For John said to Herod, That it is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/mark/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For John said to Herod: It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/mark/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For John was saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/mark/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/mark/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/mark/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For John had said to Herod, It is not lawful for you to marry your brother’s wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/mark/6.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For Yohannan had said to Herodus, “It is not lawful for you to take the wife of your brother.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/mark/6.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For John said to Herod: It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/mark/6.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />For John said to Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have the wife of thy brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/mark/6.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For John said to Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother?s wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/mark/6.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />upon which John told him, "it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For John had repeatedly told Herod, "You have no right to be living with your brother's wife."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/mark/6.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/mark/6.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />For John <i>had</i> said to Herod, it is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/mark/6-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmwDTC71zvQ?start=1722" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/mark/6.htm">The Beheading of John</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2491.htm" title="2491: Iōannēs (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.">John</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: elegen (V-IIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">had been telling</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2264.htm" title="2264: Hērōdē (N-DMS) -- Compound of heros and eidos; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings.">Herod,</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because."></a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: Ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">“</a> <a href="/greek/1832.htm" title="1832: exestin (V-PIA-3S) -- It is permitted, lawful, possible. ">It is not lawful</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: soi (PPro-D2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">for you</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echein (V-PNA) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">to have</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphou (N-GMS) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brother’s</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1135.htm" title="1135: gynaika (N-AFS) -- A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.">wife!”</a> </span> <span class="reftext">19</span>So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she had been unable,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/14-3.htm">Matthew 14:3-4</a></span><br />Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, / because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-19.htm">Luke 3:19-20</a></span><br />But when he rebuked Herod the tetrarch regarding his brother’s wife Herodias and all the evils he had done, / Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/18-16.htm">Leviticus 18:16</a></span><br />You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would shame your brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/20-21.htm">Leviticus 20:21</a></span><br />If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity. He has uncovered the nakedness of his brother; they shall be childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-32.htm">Matthew 5:32</a></span><br />But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-9.htm">Matthew 19:9</a></span><br />Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-2.htm">Romans 7:2-3</a></span><br />For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/5-1.htm">1 Corinthians 5:1</a></span><br />It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-10</a></span><br />Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-10.htm">1 Corinthians 7:10-11</a></span><br />To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-39.htm">1 Corinthians 7:39</a></span><br />A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Hebrews 13:4</a></span><br />Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-14.htm">Malachi 2:14-16</a></span><br />Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. / Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. / “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a></span><br />For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-14.htm">Exodus 20:14</a></span><br />You shall not commit adultery.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For John had said to Herod, It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.</p><p class="hdg">It is.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/18-16.htm">Leviticus 18:16</a></b></br> Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it <i>is</i> thy brother's nakedness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/20-21.htm">Leviticus 20:21</a></b></br> And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it <i>is</i> an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/22-14.htm">1 Kings 22:14</a></b></br> And Micaiah said, <i>As</i> the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/7-5.htm">Brother's</a> <a href="/mark/6-17.htm">Herod</a> <a href="/mark/6-17.htm">John</a> <a href="/mark/3-4.htm">Lawful</a> <a href="/matthew/27-30.htm">Repeatedly</a> <a href="/mark/5-15.htm">Right</a> <a href="/mark/6-17.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/matthew/27-4.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/3-19.htm">Brother's</a> <a href="/mark/6-20.htm">Herod</a> <a href="/mark/6-19.htm">John</a> <a href="/mark/10-2.htm">Lawful</a> <a href="/mark/14-35.htm">Repeatedly</a> <a href="/mark/6-25.htm">Right</a> <a href="/mark/7-22.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/mark/12-24.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Mark 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/6-1.htm">Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/6-7.htm">He gives the twelve power over unclean spirits.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/6-14.htm">Various opinions of Jesus.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/6-16.htm">John the Baptist is imprisoned, beheaded, and buried.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/6-30.htm">The apostles return from preaching.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/6-34.htm">The miracle of five loaves and two fishes.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">45. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/6-45.htm">Jesus walks on the sea;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">53. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/6-53.htm">and heals all who touch him.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/mark/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For John had been telling Herod</b><br>John the Baptist, a prominent prophetic figure, was known for his boldness in speaking truth to power. His role as a prophet was to call people to repentance and prepare the way for Jesus Christ. In this context, John was addressing Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. Herod was a ruler under Roman authority, known for his moral and political compromises. John's confrontation with Herod highlights the prophetic tradition of holding leaders accountable to God's laws, reminiscent of prophets like Nathan confronting King David (<a href="/2_samuel/12.htm">2 Samuel 12:1-14</a>).<p><b>“It is not lawful for you</b><br>John's statement refers to the Jewish law, which Herod, though a ruler in a Roman context, was expected to respect due to his Jewish heritage. The law in question is found in <a href="/leviticus/18-16.htm">Leviticus 18:16 and 20</a>:21, which prohibits a man from marrying his brother's wife while the brother is still alive. This reflects the broader biblical principle of upholding the sanctity of marriage and family as ordained by God.<p><b>to have your brother’s wife!”</b><br>Herod had married Herodias, who was previously married to his brother Philip. This marriage was considered adulterous and unlawful according to Jewish law. Herodias's ambition and Herod's moral weakness led to this union, which was scandalous and controversial. This situation is a vivid example of the moral decay and political intrigue that characterized Herod's reign. It also foreshadows the eventual martyrdom of John the Baptist, as Herodias harbored a grudge against John for his condemnation, leading to his imprisonment and execution (<a href="/mark/6-19.htm">Mark 6:19-29</a>). This narrative underscores the cost of prophetic truth-telling and the conflict between God's kingdom and worldly powers.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a></b><br>A prophet and forerunner of Jesus Christ, known for his boldness in proclaiming God's truth and calling people to repentance. In this passage, he confronts Herod Antipas about his unlawful marriage.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/herod_antipas.htm">Herod Antipas</a></b><br>The tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, known for his immoral lifestyle and political maneuvering. He married Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, which was against Jewish law.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/herodias.htm">Herodias</a></b><br>The wife of Herod Antipas, previously married to his brother Philip. Her marriage to Herod was considered unlawful according to Jewish law.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/philip.htm">Philip</a></b><br>Herod Antipas's brother and the former husband of Herodias. His marriage to Herodias was legitimate, making her subsequent marriage to Herod Antipas unlawful.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_event.htm">The Event</a></b><br>John the Baptist's confrontation with Herod Antipas over his marriage to Herodias, which ultimately led to John's imprisonment and execution.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_confrontation.htm">Courage in Confrontation</a></b><br>John the Baptist exemplifies the courage required to speak truth to power. Believers are called to stand firm in their convictions, even when it is unpopular or dangerous.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_discipleship.htm">The Cost of Discipleship</a></b><br>John's imprisonment and eventual execution remind us that following Christ and upholding His truth can come with significant personal cost.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_upholding_god's_law.htm">The Importance of Upholding God's Law</a></b><br>John's rebuke of Herod highlights the importance of adhering to God's standards, even when cultural norms or personal desires conflict with them.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_accountability.htm">Repentance and Accountability</a></b><br>This passage underscores the need for repentance and accountability in the face of sin. Herod's refusal to repent serves as a warning against hardening one's heart.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophets.htm">The Role of Prophets</a></b><br>John the Baptist's role as a prophet was to prepare the way for Jesus by calling people to repentance. This role is a reminder of the importance of prophetic voices in calling the church and society back to God's standards.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_mark_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Mark 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_essence_of_biblical_hebrew.htm">What led to John the Baptist's beheading?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_mark_6_14-29_align_with_history.htm">In Mark 6:14–29, how does the account of John the Baptist’s beheading align with or contradict known historical records? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_was_john_the_baptist_beheaded.htm">What led to John the Baptist's beheading?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_herod_want_john_the_baptist_dead.htm">Did Herod want to kill John the Baptist? Yes (Matthew 14:5) No. It was Herodias, the wife of Herod who wanted to kill him. But Herod knew that he was a righteous man and kept him safe (Mark 6:20)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/mark/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 18, 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For John said unto</span> <span class="cmt_word">Herod.</span> The Greek tense (<span class="greek">ἔλεγε</span>) implies more than the simple expression, "he said;" it implies a repeated warning. We learn from St. Matthew (<a href="/matthew/14-5.htm">Matthew 14:5</a>) that Herod would have killed John before, but he feared the people. Here St. Mark says <span class="cmt_word">that Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him; and she could not; for Herod feared John</span>. There is no contradiction between the two evangelists. The case appears to have been this: that at first Herod desired to put John to death, because John had reproved him on account of Herodias. But by degrees John gained an influence over Herod by the force of his character, and by his holy life and teaching. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/mark/6-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="grk">γὰρ</span> <span class="translit">(gar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> </span><span class="str2">For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">John</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰωάννης</span> <span class="translit">(Iōannēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2491.htm">Strong's 2491: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had been telling</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔλεγεν</span> <span class="translit">(elegen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Herod,</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἡρῴδῃ</span> <span class="translit">(Hērōdē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2264.htm">Strong's 2264: </a> </span><span class="str2">Compound of heros and eidos; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“It is not lawful</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔξεστίν</span> <span class="translit">(exestin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1832.htm">Strong's 1832: </a> </span><span class="str2">It is permitted, lawful, possible. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">for you</span><br /><span class="grk">σοι</span> <span class="translit">(soi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to have</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔχειν</span> <span class="translit">(echein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your</span><br /><span class="grk">σου</span> <span class="translit">(sou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">brother’s</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀδελφοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(adelphou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wife!”</span><br /><span class="grk">γυναῖκα</span> <span class="translit">(gynaika)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1135.htm">Strong's 1135: </a> </span><span class="str2">A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/mark/6-18.htm">Mark 6:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/mark/6-18.htm">Mark 6:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/mark/6-18.htm">Mark 6:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/mark/6-18.htm">Mark 6:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/mark/6-18.htm">Mark 6:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/mark/6-18.htm">Mark 6:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/mark/6-18.htm">Mark 6:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/mark/6-18.htm">Mark 6:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/mark/6-18.htm">Mark 6:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/mark/6-18.htm">Mark 6:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/mark/6-18.htm">NT Gospels: Mark 6:18 For John said to Herod It (Mar Mk Mr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/mark/6-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Mark 6:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Mark 6:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/mark/6-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Mark 6:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Mark 6:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>