King James Version
What Does Mark 6:27 Mean?
“And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, an: or, one of his guard”
Mark 6:27 · KJV
Context
25
And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
26
And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.
27
And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, an: or, one of his guard
28
And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.
29
And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAnd immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison. The execution proceeds with tragic swiftness. 'Immediately' (εὐθέως, eutheōs) emphasizes no delay—the murder followed the request directly, allowing no time for reflection or intervention. 'Sent an executioner' (ἀποστείλας σπεκουλάτορα, aposteilas spekoulatora) uses Latin loanword speculator—Roman military term for special guard performing executions and intelligence work. This detail confirms Roman military involvement and Herod's Romanized court.
'Commanded his head to be brought' (ἐπέταξεν ἐνεχθῆναι τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, epetaxen enechthēnai tēn kephalēn autou) shows direct, business-like order. 'He went and beheaded him in the prison' (ἀπελθὼν ἀπεκεφάλισεν αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ φυλακῇ, apelthōn apekephalisen auton en tē phylakē)—John died in prison, likely Machaerus fortress. The prophet who called Israel to repentance, who fearlessly confronted sin, who prepared the way for Christ, was silenced by political expediency and sexual sin. Yet his death wasn't defeat but martyrdom, witnessing to truth regardless of cost. Jesus later said no greater prophet existed than John (Matthew 11:11), whose faithfulness unto death exemplified the narrow way.
'Commanded his head to be brought' (ἐπέταξεν ἐνεχθῆναι τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, epetaxen enechthēnai tēn kephalēn autou) shows direct, business-like order. 'He went and beheaded him in the prison' (ἀπελθὼν ἀπεκεφάλισεν αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ φυλακῇ, apelthōn apekephalisen auton en tē phylakē)—John died in prison, likely Machaerus fortress. The prophet who called Israel to repentance, who fearlessly confronted sin, who prepared the way for Christ, was silenced by political expediency and sexual sin. Yet his death wasn't defeat but martyrdom, witnessing to truth regardless of cost. Jesus later said no greater prophet existed than John (Matthew 11:11), whose faithfulness unto death exemplified the narrow way.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Machaerus fortress, located east of the Dead Sea in modern Jordan, was Herod's military stronghold and palace. Archaeologists have excavated the site, confirming its first-century occupation. The prison where John died was likely in the fortress's lower levels. Beheading (Roman execution method) was quicker and less painful than crucifixion—perhaps Herod showed this small mercy. The 'executioner' (speculator) was member of Herod's Roman-trained guard, not Jewish personnel. This military role included executions, interrogations, and bodyguard duties. Ancient sources (Josephus) confirm John's imprisonment and execution at Machaerus. The immediacy of the execution suggests it occurred during or shortly after the banquet—meaning the executioner traveled to the prison (if separate from banquet location) or John was held nearby. Church tradition holds that John's disciples retrieved and buried his body (v. 29), and his tomb became pilgrimage site. Various locations claim to hold his remains—Damascus, Jerusalem, Alexandria—though authenticity is debated.
Reflection Questions
- How does John's faithfulness unto death, even when it accomplished no immediate visible success, challenge modern Christianity's emphasis on measurable results and numerical growth?
- What does John's martyrdom teach about the cost of prophetic ministry that fearlessly confronts powerful people's sins?
Original Language Analysis
Greek · 19 wordsκαὶ1 of 19
“And”
G2532and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀποστείλας3 of 19
“sent”
G649set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
σπεκουλάτωρα6 of 19
“an executioner”
G4688a speculator, i.e., military scout (spy or (by extension) life-guardsman)
ἐνεχθῆναι8 of 19
“to be brought”
G5342to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)
κεφαλὴν10 of 19
“head”
G2776the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
αὐτὸν11 of 19
“him”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀπελθὼν14 of 19
“he went”
G565to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
αὐτὸν16 of 19
“him”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
φυλακῇ19 of 19
“the prison”
G5438a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh
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 6:27 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 6:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge