Mark 6:28
What does Mark 6:28 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 6:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 6:28 means
Mark 6:28 records that the soldier presented John’s head on a platter and gave it to the girl, who then gave it to her mother. The image is stark and deliberately shocking: the prophet’s life ends as a grisly trophy, handed through a chain from executioner to girl to mother. The transfer of the head emphasizes both the personal vindictiveness of Herodias and the public spectacle made of justice perverted. The verse forces readers to confront the brutality that can follow from sin and abuse of power, elevating John as a martyr for truth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And came back with the head on a plate, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he having gone, beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head upon a plate, and did give it to the damsel, and the damsel did give it to her mother;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a dish: and gave to the damsel, and the damsel gave it her mother.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and brought his head upon a dish, and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother.
Context
This verse follows the execution order in verse 27, completing the immediate fulfillment of Herodias’ demand. The grotesque presentation at the banquet marks the nadir of moral corruption in this narrative. The detail of the daughter passing the head to her mother underscores Herodias’ triumph and cruelty. Immediately after, verse 29 recounts John’s disciples’ retrieval of the body, which begins the more private, sorrowful aftermath.
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