NOTES for Mar 6:14-29

The preaching of Jesus Himself and His apostles led to His name becoming known throughout Galilee, eventually reaching its ruler Herod (v. 14). Herod, who ruled Galilee, was not, of course, an independent ruler; he was a vassal of the Roman emperor, since Galilee, like all Palestine, was part of the Roman Empire in gospel times. At the same time, all kinds of rumors about Jesus spread among the people. Some considered Him a prophet, like one of those ancient prophets whose preaching became part of the prophetic books of the Old Testament, well known to all believing Jews and read regularly in the synagogues during worship. For others He was Elijah returned from heaven (v. 15), of whom the Old Testament says that he did not die but was taken up to heaven alive (2 Kings 2:11-12). This book was well known, as were the other three Books of Kings, as well as Joshua and Judges, for in Judaism they are counted among the prophetic books and are called the "Former Prophets." Believing Jews of gospel times believed that shortly before the coming of the Messiah-Christ, Elijah would return from heaven to earth in order to remind people of His imminent appearance.

Meanwhile, Herod took Jesus for John the Baptist risen from the dead, whom he had had executed by his order shortly before (v. 14). The execution had been preceded by an arrest connected with John's accusations against Herod for marrying his own brother's wife contrary to the Law (vv. 17-18). It should be noted that Herod paid little attention in general to religious and moral norms, and was also marked by immoderate sensuality. Yet he did not dare execute John at once: despite his moral corruption, Herod still respected him (v. 20). It is not surprising that Herodias (formerly the wife of Herod's brother Philip) hated John more than Herod himself did (v. 19). At last, a convenient moment for reprisal came: during a ceremonial feast, Herodias's daughter performed a passionate Middle Eastern dance before Herod and his guests (perhaps something like the belly dance still well known in the East today) (vv. 21-22). Inflamed by wine and lust, Herod solemnly swore to fulfill any wish of the girl, who, at her mother's prompting, used the opportunity to get rid of John (vv. 22-25). Herod clearly did not want John's death at all, but, moved by vanity and unwilling to lose face before his circle by breaking his own solemn oath, he nevertheless gave the order for the execution, which, of course, at once became known to many, including the apostles (vv. 26-29).