Herod, Herodias, and the Death of John the Baptist
Mark 6:14-29
Mark.6.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ηκουσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- βασιλευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Ηρωδης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- φανερον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- γαρ: PART
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ελεγον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- Ιωαννης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- βαπτιζων: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- εγηγερται: VERB,perf,mid/pas,ind,3,sg
- εκ: PREP
- νεκρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- δια: PREP
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ενεργουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- δυναμεις: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- αυτω·: PRON,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 14:1-2 (verbal): Parallel report of Herod hearing about Jesus’ growing renown and the rumor that ‘John the Baptist has been raised,’ using very similar wording and narrative context.
- Luke 9:7-8 (verbal): Luke’s account likewise records Herod’s puzzlement on hearing reports about Jesus, including that some said John was raised or that Elijah had appeared—closely matching Mark’s description.
- Mark 8:27-28 (thematic): Same theme of popular speculation about Jesus’ identity—people suggest figures like John the Baptist or Elijah, showing a recurring motif of mistaken or supernatural identifications.
- John 1:21 (allusion): Although John denies being Elijah, this passage reflects the contemporary expectations linking prophetic figures (Elijah/John) and the interpretive frameworks that lead people to identify Jesus with risen or returning prophetic figures.
Alternative generated candidates
- And King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."
- And King Herod heard of him, for his name had become known; and people said, "John the Baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers work in him."
Mark.6.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- ελεγον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- Ηλιας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εστιν·αλλοι: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ελεγον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- προφητης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- εις: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- προφητων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Mark 8:28 (verbal): Same catalog of popular identifications (John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets) in a later Markan scene where Jesus asks who people say he is.
- Matthew 16:14 (verbal): Matthew records a parallel report of the public saying that Jesus was John the Baptist, Elijah, or another prophet (very similar wording and list).
- Luke 9:7-8 (verbal): Luke parallels the tradition: Herod and others report that some thought Jesus was John raised, others Elijah, or one of the ancient prophets.
- John 1:21 (verbal): John the Baptist is explicitly asked whether he is Elijah, reflecting the same popular expectation and identity-confusion referenced in Mark 6:15.
- Malachi 4:5 (thematic): The prophetic expectation that Elijah would return (Malachi 4:5) underlies why people in the Gospels identify Jesus with Elijah or a prophetic figure.
Alternative generated candidates
- But others said, "He is Elijah," and others, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old."
- But others said, "He is Elijah;" and others said, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets."
Mark.6.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ακουσας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ηρωδης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ελεγεν·Ον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- απεκεφαλισα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- Ιωαννην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- ηγερθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 14:2 (verbal): Herod’s remark that ‘John the Baptist has been raised’ is reported nearly verbatim in Matthew’s parallel account (people saying Jesus is John raised).
- Luke 9:7-9 (thematic): Luke records Herod’s perplexity about Jesus and reports the common explanations — that he is John raised, Elijah, or a prophet — echoing the same public speculation.
- Mark 6:17-20 (structural): Immediate narrative context in Mark: the account of Herod’s arrest and execution of John explains why Herod would say John had been raised and shows Herod’s awareness/conscience of John.
- Matthew 14:10-12 (structural): Matthew’s fuller account of John’s beheading and its aftermath parallels Mark’s narrative and provides the background for Herod’s statement that he had beheaded John.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Herod heard this he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised."
- But when Herod heard, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised."
Mark.6.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ηρωδης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αποστειλας: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- εκρατησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιωαννην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εδησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- φυλακη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- δια: PREP
- Ηρωδιαδα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- γυναικα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- Φιλιππου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αδελφου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- αυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- εγαμησεν·: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 14:3-4 (verbal): Direct narrative parallel: Matthew reports that Herod arrested John and bound him because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and emphasizes John’s rebuke of Herod’s marriage.
- Luke 3:19-20 (verbal): Luke likewise records that John rebuked Herod Antipas and was put in prison because of Herodias; it concurs with Mark on the cause and circumstance of John's imprisonment.
- Josephus, Antiquities 18.5.2 (allusion): Non‑biblical corroboration: the Jewish historian Josephus describes Herod Antipas’s imprisonment and execution of John the Baptist in connection with Herodias, aligning with the Gospel tradition.
Alternative generated candidates
- For Herod himself had sent and seized John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife;
- For Herod himself had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for he had married her.
Mark.6.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ελεγεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- γαρ: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιωαννης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Ηρωδη: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- Ουκ: PART,neg
- εξεστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- εχειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- γυναικα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αδελφου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
Parallels
- Matthew 14:4 (verbal): Parallel Synoptic report—John tells Herod directly that it is not lawful for him to have his brother's wife (near-identical wording).
- Luke 3:19-20 (thematic): Luke records John rebuking Herod for taking Herodias (his brother’s wife) and describes the subsequent imprisonment, paralleling Mark’s account of the rebuke.
- Leviticus 18:16 (allusion): The Mosaic law forbids a man from having intercourse with his brother's wife; this law underlies John’s declaration that such a union is unlawful.
- Leviticus 20:21 (allusion): Another explicit law concerning a man who takes his brother’s wife (describing impurity/penalty), providing the legal/ethical background for John’s rebuke of Herod.
Alternative generated candidates
- for John had told him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."
- For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."
Mark.6.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- Ηρωδιας: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ενειχεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ηθελεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- αποκτειναι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ηδυνατο·: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Luke 3:19-20 (verbal): Almost identical account: Herodias wanted John dead but could not, because Herod feared John as a righteous/holy man; close verbal and narrative parallel.
- Matthew 14:3-5 (thematic): Parallel tradition: John is arrested and Herod/Herodias seek his death; Matthew notes Herod’s reluctance (fear of the people) as the reason he did not immediately execute John.
- Mark 6:17-20 (structural): Immediate context within Mark’s Gospel: verses framing 6:19 narrate John’s imprisonment and explain Herod’s fear and Herodias’s hostility—direct narrative cluster.
- Matthew 14:6-11 (thematic): Continuation of the same episode in Matthew showing Herodias’s eventual success (through her daughter’s dance) in having John executed, fulfilling her earlier desire to kill him.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not,
- Therefore Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not;
Mark.6.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- Ηρωδης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εφοβειτο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιωαννην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ειδως: PART,perf,act,nom,sg,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ανδρα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- δικαιον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- αγιον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
- και: CONJ
- συνετηρει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ακουσας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- πολλα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- ηπορει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ηδεως: ADV
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ηκουεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 14:3-5 (verbal): Synoptic parallel: Matthew likewise reports Herod's arrest of John and his reluctance to kill him—Herod's fear/hesitation and the tension between his wrongdoing and respect for John correspond to Mark's depiction.
- Luke 3:19-20 (structural): Parallel account: Luke describes John's rebuke of Herod (for Herodias) and John's subsequent imprisonment, similarly portraying the clash between the prophet and Herod and Herod's admonished response.
- Luke 7:24-28 (thematic): Thematic parallel: Jesus' commendation of John as the greatest born of women and as a prophetic, righteous figure echoes Mark's language about John's righteousness and holiness that inspired Herod's fear and respect.
- Josephus, Antiquities 18.5.2 (allusion): Historical parallel: Josephus independently reports that John was regarded as a righteous man whose popularity made Herod afraid to act against him—corroborating Mark's characterization of Herod's fear and reverence toward John.
Alternative generated candidates
- for Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him.
- for Herod feared John, knowing him to be righteous and holy, and he protected him. When he heard him he was much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him.
Mark.6.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- γενομενης: VERB,aor,mid,part,gen,sg,f
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- ευκαιρου: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- οτε: CONJ
- Ηρωδης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- γενεσιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- δειπνον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εποιησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- μεγιστασιν: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- χιλιαρχοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- πρωτοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- Γαλιλαιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 14:6 (verbal): Direct Gospel parallel: Herod's birthday banquet where the daughter dances (same setting and occasion).
- Matthew 14:3-11 (structural): Parallels the larger pericope (John the Baptist's arrest and beheading) that in Matthew occupies the same narrative sequence initiated by the birthday feast.
- Luke 9:7-9 (thematic): Herod's perplexity about Jesus linked to John the Baptist (reports that John has been raised or that 'someone like John' has appeared), reflecting consequences of Herod's actions set in Mark 6.
- Genesis 40:20 (allusion): The mention of a ruler's 'birthday' leading to decisive, often violent action (Pharaoh's birthday resulting in the baker's execution) provides an intertextual background for punitive deeds tied to royal feasts.
- Esther 1:3-12 (thematic): Royal banquet with nobles and princes and the role of women/dancing at court (Vashti's refusal) supplies an Old Testament parallel motif of courtly feasting, display, and contested female agency.
Alternative generated candidates
- A convenient day came: on Herod's birthday he gave a feast for his nobles and the high officers and the leading men of Galilee.
- Now when a convenient day came, on his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his nobles, the military commanders, and the leading men of Galilee.
Mark.6.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εισελθουσης: VERB,aor,mid,part,gen,f,sg
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- θυγατρος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτης: PRO,gen,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- Ηρωδιαδος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ορχησαμενης: VERB,aor,mid,part,gen,f,sg
- και: CONJ
- αρεσασης: VERB,aor,act,part,gen,f,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Ηρωδη: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- συνανακειμενοις: VERB,pres,mid,part,dat,pl,m
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- βασιλευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κορασιω·Αιτησον: NOUN,dat,sg,n+VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εαν: CONJ
- θελης: VERB,pres,act,subj,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- δωσω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- σοι·: PRON,dat,sg,2
Parallels
- Matthew 14:6-11 (verbal): The parallel synoptic account: Salome’s dance, Herod’s rash offer, and the girl’s request for John the Baptist’s head are narrated with nearly identical language and sequence.
- Mark 6:25-28 (structural): Immediate continuation within Mark: the girl’s request (and Herod’s distress) and the execution of the promise—this passage completes the episode begun in 6:22.
- Esther 5:1-8 (thematic): Esther gains the king’s favor at a banquet and is invited to ask a favor; both scenes feature a woman’s pleasing the king at a banquet/dance followed by a granted request from a ruler.
- Judges 11:30-39 (thematic): Jephthah’s vow leads to his daughter’s tragic fate after she appears following his victory—thematically parallel in which a daughter’s presence and a male vow/promise result in a lethal outcome for a valued man (echoing the fatal request made through the dance).
Alternative generated candidates
- When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those reclining with him. The king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you."
- And when the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those reclining with him; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you."
Mark.6.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ωμοσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτη·Ο: PRON,dat,sg,f
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- εαν: CONJ
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- αιτησης: VERB,pres,act,subj,2,sg
- δωσω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- εως: CONJ
- ημισους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- βασιλειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
Parallels
- Matthew 14:6-11 (verbal): Parallel account of the same episode (Herod's promise to the dancing girl); many of the same words and sequence appear (the oath and the ensuing request for John the Baptist's head).
- Esther 5:3-4 (verbal): The Persian king's formula to Esther—'What is your petition... even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed'—echoes the offer 'I will give you up to half my kingdom.'
- Judges 11:30-39 (thematic): Jephthah's rash vow resulting in the fate of a daughter provides a thematic parallel: a binding vow/oath with tragic consequences for a young woman.
- 1 Kings 3:5-9 (thematic): God's invitation to Solomon to 'ask what I shall give thee' parallels the motif of a ruler/sovereign offering to grant a request, highlighting requests granted by a sovereign authority.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me I will give you, up to half my kingdom."
- And he vowed with an oath to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even to half my kingdom."
Mark.6.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εξελθουσα: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,f,sg
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- μητρι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αυτης·Τι: PRON,gen,sg,f
- αιτησωμαι: VERB,fut,mid,ind,1,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- ειπεν·Την: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- κεφαλην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- Ιωαννου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- βαπτιζοντος: VERB,pres,act,ptcp,m,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 14:6-11 (verbal): Parallel Synoptic account of the same episode: the daughter (Salome) asks at her mother's prompting for John the Baptist's head and the execution follows; wording and sequence closely correspond to Mark's narrative.
- Mark 6:25-28 (structural): Immediate continuation in Mark's own narrative describing the girl's request, Herod's oath, and the beheading — completes the episode begun in 6:24 and shows direct narrative continuity.
- Luke 3:19-20 (thematic): Luke's account records Herod's imprisonment and hostile actions against John the Baptist, thematically connected as background to the fatal outcome of the encounter in Mark 6:24.
- Luke 9:7-9 (thematic): Luke summarizes Herod's perplexity about reports concerning Jesus and notes that Herod had previously arrested (and meted out violence to) John, thematically linking Herod's role in John's death to the Markan episode.
Alternative generated candidates
- She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."
- She went out and, having consulted her mother, said, "I want you to give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer."
Mark.6.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εισελθουσα: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,f
- ευθυς: ADV
- μετα: PREP
- σπουδης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- βασιλεα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ητησατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- λεγουσα·Θελω: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,f+VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- εξαυτης: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,f
- δως: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,sg
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- επι: PREP
- πινακι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- κεφαλην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- Ιωαννου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- βαπτιστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 14:8-11 (quotation): Direct parallel account of the same episode; the girl asks for John the Baptist’s head on a platter and the execution follows (verbal and narrative correspondence).
- Luke 9:7-9 (thematic): Luke records Herod’s awareness that John was beheaded and the rumor surrounding Jesus—thematises John’s death under Herod without retelling the banquet scene. (See also Luke 3:19-20 for John’s imprisonment.)
- 1 Kings 21:1-16 (thematic): Jezebel’s manipulation of royal power to have Naboth unlawfully executed parallels the motif of a woman’s instigation and the abuse of a king’s authority to remove an innocent/vocal figure (prophetic/justice theme).
- Revelation 20:4 (thematic): Mentions those who were beheaded for their testimony of God—connects John’s beheading to the wider biblical motif of martyrdom for prophetic witness.
- Judith 13:8-10 (structural): (Deuterocanonical) Judith’s presentation of Holofernes’ head on a platter shares the striking image/ritual of a severed head displayed on a dish, a structural parallel to Mark’s detail of the head on a platter.
Alternative generated candidates
- She immediately hurried in to the king and asked, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."
- And she came in with haste to the king and requested, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptizer on a platter."
Mark.6.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- περιλυπος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- γενομενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- βασιλευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δια: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ορκους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ανακειμενους: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,acc,pl,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ηθελησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αθετησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αυτην·: PRON,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 14:8-11 (structural): Parallel Synoptic account of the same episode; the king is distressed but, because of his oaths and his guests, grants the daughter's request leading to John the Baptist's beheading.
- Judges 11:30-40 (thematic): Jephthah's rash vow resulting in the sacrifice of his daughter—the narrative parallels Mark's theme of a binding vow producing a tragic, involuntary outcome.
- Numbers 30:2 (verbal): Legal stipulation that a person’s vow is binding and must be fulfilled; provides the cultic-legal background for why an oath would constrain a ruler's actions.
- Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 (thematic): Warning about making vows to God and the obligation to fulfill them; thematically related to the danger and regret tied to vows that must be kept even when harmful.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and because of those who were reclining with him he did not want to refuse her.
- And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet because of his oaths and his guests he did not wish to refuse her.
Mark.6.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ευθυς: ADV
- αποστειλας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,m,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- βασιλευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- σπεκουλατορα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- επεταξεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ενεγκαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- κεφαλην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- απελθων: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,m,sg
- απεκεφαλισεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- φυλακη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 14:10-11 (verbal): Nearly identical Synoptic account: Herod orders John's head brought and the girl receives it—same sequence and phrasing as Mark's narrative.
- Luke 9:7-9 (thematic): Herod reflects on Jesus in light of John's fate ('John, whom I beheaded, has been raised'), presupposing and alluding to John's execution and linking it to popular interpretations about Jesus.
- Acts 12:1-2 (thematic): Another instance of a Herod executing a prominent prophetic/apostolic figure ('killed James with the sword'), thematically paralleling Herodian violent punishment of religious leaders and followers.
- Mark 6:29 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation in Mark: the disciples take John's body and lay it in a tomb—directly follows and completes the beheading episode described in 6:27.
Alternative generated candidates
- And immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. He went and beheaded him in the prison,
- And immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded that his head be brought. The executioner went and beheaded him in the prison,
Mark.6.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ηνεγκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- κεφαλην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- πινακι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εδωκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κορασιω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- κορασιον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- εδωκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- μητρι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αυτης: PRO,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 14:11 (verbal): Direct Gospel parallel: the beheading of John the Baptist and the presentation of his head on a platter with virtually the same wording.
- 1 Samuel 17:54 (thematic): David takes Goliath's head and brings it as a trophy/proof—similar motif of a severed head presented to others.
- 2 Samuel 4:8-12 (thematic): The assassins deliver Ish-bosheth's head as proof of his death; parallels the practice of presenting a head to confirm a killing.
- 1 Samuel 31:9-13 (thematic): Accounts of Saul's and his sons' bodies/heads being treated and displayed after death—another Old Testament instance of a head presented or publicly treated after execution.
Alternative generated candidates
- and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.
- and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.
Mark.6.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ακουσαντες: PTCP,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μαθηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- ηραν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πτωμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εθηκαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- εν: PREP
- μνημειω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
Parallels
- Matthew 14:12 (verbal): Almost identical report: the disciples take up John the Baptist’s body and bury it—direct Synoptic parallel to Mark’s wording and action.
- Mark 15:42-46 (thematic): Another Markan burial scene where a follower (Joseph of Arimathea) takes Jesus’ body and lays it in a tomb—parallels in motif of death, caring retrieval, and interment.
- John 19:38-42 (thematic): John’s account of Joseph and Nicodemus taking Jesus’ body and burying it in a tomb; parallels the practice and significance of burial after violent death.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (allusion): Early creedal summary that includes 'he was buried'—the burial of a slain figure as an essential element of the death-resurrection narrative, thematically linked to John’s burial here.
Alternative generated candidates
- When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
- And when his disciples heard, they came and took up his body and laid it in a tomb.
Now King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known; and people were saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these miraculous powers are at work in him." But others said, "He is Elijah," and others, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets." But when Herod heard this he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised."
For Herod himself had sent and arrested John, and bound him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip; for he had married her.
For John had been saying to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death; she could not, however, for Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and he liked to listen to him.
When he heard him he was much perplexed, yet he took pleasure in hearing him. Now on Herod's birthday he gave a banquet for his nobles and officers and the leading men of Galilee. And when the daughter of Herodias herself entered and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask of me whatever you want, and I will give it to you." And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask of me I will give you, up to half my kingdom."
She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."
She came in at once with haste to the king and asked, "I want you to give me immediately the head of John the Baptist on a platter." And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet because of his oaths and because of his guests he did not want to refuse her.
Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded that his head be brought. He went and beheaded him in the prison,
and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.