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Mark 6:27

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 6:27 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And 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,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And 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,
Mark 6:27 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
24And she went out, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptizer.
25And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou forthwith give me on a platter the head of John the Baptist.
26And the king was exceeding sorry; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat, he would not reject her.
27And 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,
28and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother.
29And when his disciples heard [thereof], they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
30And the apostles gather themselves together unto Jesus; and they told him all things, whatsoever they had done, and whatsoever they had taught.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And immediately the king sent an executioner, etc..] (See Gill on “<401410>Matthew 14:10”) and commanded his head to be brought; ordered him to cut off his head in prison, and bring it away forthwith in a charger to him: and he went and beheaded him in the prison; according to his orders.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the king: Mat 14:10, Mat 14:11 an executioner: or, one of his guard, Σπεκουλατωρ \[Strong's G4688\], in Latin, speculator, from speculor, to look about, spy, properly denotes a sentinel; and as these sentinels kept guard at the palaces of kings, and the residences of Roman governors, so they were employed in other offices besides guarding, and usually performed that of executioners. As, however, we learn from Josephus, that Herod was at this very time engaged in war with Aretas, king of Arabia, in consequence of Herod's having divorced his daughter in order to marry Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; and as this event occurred at an entertainment given at the castle of Machaerus, while his…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification