Mark 6:19

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 6:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him; and she could not;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him; and she could not;
Mark 6:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19And Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him; and she could not;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, etc..] Was angry with him, conceived wrath, and laid up hatred against him, and was an adversary to him; which is the sense of the Oriental versions. She bore him an inward grudge, and lay in wait to take the first opportunity of dispatching him: and would have killed him, but she could not; being hindered by Herod, who as yet would not suffer it; partly through fear of the people, and partly through the respect he had for John.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this account of the death of John the Baptist fully explained in the notes at Matthew 14:1-12. Mark 6:20 For Herod feared John - That is, he stood in awe of him on account of his sanctity, and his boldness and fearlessness in reproving sin. Knowing that he was a just man and an Holy - A holy, pious, upright, honest man - a man who would not be afraid of him, or afraid to speak his real sentiments. And observed him - Margin, “kept him, or saved him.” This does not mean that he “observed” or obeyed his teachings, but that he kept him in safe custody in order to preserve him from the machinations of Herodias. He was willing to show his respect for John, and to secure him from danger, and…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:19-28 Herodias’s role in the murder of John the Baptist recalls the story of Jezebel (1 Kgs 19:1-2). Herod succumbed to pressure (Mark 6:26-28), which foreshadows the later story of Pontius Pilate, who put Jesus to death against his better judgment (cp. 6:20, 25-28 with 15:6-15).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Herodias: Gen 39:17-20; Kg1 21:20 a quarrel: or, an inward grudge, Ecc 7:9; Eph 4:26, Eph 4:27 Mark 6:20”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification