Mark 6:27
What does Mark 6:27 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 6:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 6:27 means
Mark 6:27 tells us that the king immediately sent an executioner to behead John in prison and bring the head. The swift response shows Herod’s determination to keep his oath and accommodate his guests, despite remorse. The verse records the procedural, almost bureaucratic, nature of the murder—an order given, carried out, and delivered. The act transforms private vendetta into official violence. John’s death stands as a sober example of the cost of prophetic witness and the deadly consequences when rulers act to protect reputation over righteousness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And straight away the king sent out one of his armed men, and gave him an order to come back with the head: and he went and took off John's head in prison,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and immediately the king having sent a guardsman, did command his head to be brought,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But sending an executioner, he commanded that his head should be brought in a dish.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And immediately the king, having sent one of the guard, ordered his head to be brought. And he went out and beheaded him in the prison,
Context
This verse follows Herod’s sorrowful but decisive choice in verse 26 and narrates the grim fulfillment. It brings closure to the Herodias plot described from verse 17 on. The abruptness and official nature of the execution heighten the moral indictment of Herod’s court. The verse leads to the presentation of John’s head to the girl in verse 28 and to the grief of John’s disciples in verse 29.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 14:10
and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.
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