Devine Scripture

Mark 6:18

What does Mark 6:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 6:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 6:18 means

Mark 6:18 explains that John told Herod, “It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.” This is a straightforward moral and religious rebuke based on Mosaic law and Jewish ethics. John’s public declaration shows his fidelity to God’s standards even at great personal risk. It explains why Herodias—a beneficiary of the marriage—felt threatened and incited hostility. The verse highlights the prophetic duty to speak truth to power and the inevitable clash when leaders prefer political advantage over obedience to God’s commandments.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For John said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For John said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For John said to Herod, It is wrong for you to have your brother's wife.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for John said to Herod--`It is not lawful to thee to have the wife of thy brother;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For John said to Herod: It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For John said to Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have the wife of thy brother.

Context

This verse clarifies the reason for John’s imprisonment mentioned in verse 17. It frames John’s ministry as prophetic courage: he confronted a powerful ruler with a plain ethical claim. That confrontation provoked Herodias and sets in motion the events leading to John’s death. Understanding this moral charge helps explain why John was both respected and despised, and why Herod felt both constrained and uneasy in dealing with him.

v.17For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her.

v.18This passage

v.19And Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him; and she could not;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Leviticus 20:21

    And if a man shall take his brother’s wife, it is impurity: he hath uncovered his brother’s nakedness; they shall be childless.

  • Leviticus 18:16

    Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.

  • Matthew 14:3

    For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.

  • Ezekiel 3:18

    When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand.

  • Acts 24:24

    But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.

  • Acts 20:26

    Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

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