King James Version

What Does Mark 6:20 Mean?

Mark 6:20 in the King James Version says “For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many ...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. observed him: or, kept him, or, saved him”

Mark 6:20 · KJV

Salvation

Context

18

For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

19

Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: a quarrel: or, an inward grudge

20

For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. observed him: or, kept him, or, saved him

21

And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;

22

And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. This verse reveals Herod's conflicted response—simultaneously respecting and imprisoning John. 'Herod feared John' (ὁ γὰρ Ἡρῴδης ἐφοβεῖτο τὸν Ἰωάννην, ho gar Hērōdēs ephobeito ton Iōannēn) indicates reverent fear or awe, not terror. 'Knowing that he was a just man and holy' (εἰδὼς αὐτὸν ἄνδρα δίκαιον καὶ ἅγιον, eidōs auton andra dikaion kai hagion) shows Herod recognized John's moral integrity and divine calling. 'Observed him' (συνετήρει αὐτόν, synetērei auton) can mean 'kept him safe' or 'watched him carefully'—likely both: protecting John from Herodias while monitoring him as potential threat.

'When he heard him, he did many things' (ἠπόρει καὶ ἡδέως αὐτοῦ ἤκουεν, ēporei kai hēdeōs autou ēkouen)—some manuscripts read 'was perplexed' (ēporei) showing John's words disturbed him. 'Heard him gladly' (ἡδέως ἤκουεν, hēdeōs ēkouen) reveals attraction to John's teaching despite its challenging nature. This tragic portrait shows someone intellectually convinced yet volitionally uncommitted—Herod knew the right but wouldn't do it. He enjoyed John's preaching like entertainment but refused life transformation. This exemplifies those who hear God's word regularly, recognize its truth, yet never submit to its authority—finding religion interesting but not compelling enough to sacrifice sin.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Herod's ambivalence toward John reflects the complex relationship between political rulers and religious figures in first-century Palestine. Rulers needed religious legitimacy but resisted prophetic correction. Herod's protection of John while imprisoning him mirrors his father Herod the Great's relationship with rabbis—alternately honoring and persecuting them. The detail that Herod 'heard him gladly' suggests private audiences where John taught, perhaps in prison. Ancient rulers often kept prisoners for conversation—intellectual stimulation or spiritual curiosity. Herod's doing 'many things' might indicate limited reforms: perhaps releasing some prisoners, showing mercy in certain cases, or minor policy changes. Yet he wouldn't address the fundamental issue: his unlawful marriage. This selective obedience characterizes much nominal religion—conforming in areas that cost little while refusing areas requiring genuine sacrifice. Josephus indicates Herod was superstitious, consulting astrologers and fearing supernatural powers. His reverence for John likely mixed genuine respect with superstitious fear. Early church fathers (Chrysostom, Augustine) used Herod as warning against 'almost persuaded' Christianity—intellectual assent without volitional commitment results in damnation, not salvation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Herod's pattern of hearing God's word gladly while refusing to obey it describe many modern churchgoers who enjoy preaching without submitting to Christ's lordship?
  2. What does Herod's selective obedience ('did many things' but not the one thing required—abandoning Herodias) teach about incomplete repentance?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
ὁ1 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γὰρ2 of 24

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

Ἡρῴδης3 of 24

“Herod”

G2264

heroic; herod, the name of four jewish kings

ἐφοβεῖτο4 of 24

“feared”

G5399

to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere

τὸν5 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰωάννην6 of 24

“John”

G2491

joannes (i.e., jochanan), the name of four israelites

εἰδὼς7 of 24

“knowing”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

αὐτοῦ8 of 24

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἄνδρα9 of 24

“man”

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

δίκαιον10 of 24

“was a just”

G1342

equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively)

καὶ11 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἅγιον12 of 24

“an holy”

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

καὶ13 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

συνετήρει14 of 24

“observed”

G4933

to keep closely together, i.e., (by implication) to conserve (from ruin); mentally, to remember (and obey)

αὐτοῦ15 of 24

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ16 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἤκουεν17 of 24

“heard”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

αὐτοῦ18 of 24

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

πολλὰ19 of 24

“many things”

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

ἐποίει,20 of 24

“he did”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

καὶ21 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἡδέως22 of 24

“gladly”

G2234

sweetly, i.e., (figuratively) with pleasure

αὐτοῦ23 of 24

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἤκουεν24 of 24

“heard”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 6:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 6:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 21:26Matthew 14:52 Chronicles 24:15-22John 5:352 Kings 6:212 Chronicles 26:5

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