Mark 6:23

6:14-29 Herod feared John while he lived, and feared him still more when he was dead. Herod did many of those things which John in his preaching taught him; but it is not enough to do many things, we must have respect to all the commandments. Herod respected John, till he touched him in his Herodias. Thus many love good preaching, if it keep far away from their beloved sin. But it is better that sinners persecute ministers now for faithfulness, than curse them eternally for unfaithfulness. The ways of God are unsearchable; but we may be sure he never can be at a loss to repay his servants for what they endure or lose for his sake. Death could not come so as to surprise this holy man; and the triumph of the wicked was short.

And he sware unto her,.... He added an oath to what he had before said, the more to confirm it, and to encourage her in her request, and which he repeated in stronger language: whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom; See Gill on Matthew 14:7.

23 . unto the half of my kingdom ] Compare the words of Ahasuerus (i. e. Xerxes) to Esther: “What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom ” ( Esther 5:3 ; Esther 7:2 ). Mark 6:23

23. And he—the king, so called, but only by courtesy (see on [1445]Mr 6:14). sware unto her Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, unto the half of my kingdom—Those in whom passion and luxury have destroyed self-command will in a capricious moment say and do what in their cool moments they bitterly regret.

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 even to do "many things" which might indicate respect for him - at least, to do so much as to guard him from his enemies. And did many things - But he did not do the thing which was demanded of him - to break off from his sins. He attempted to make a compromise with his conscience. He still loved his sins, and did "other" things which he supposed might be accepted in the place of putting away, as he ought, the wife of his brother - the polluted and adulterous woman with whom he lived. Perhaps he treated John kindly, or spoke well of him, or aided him in his wants, and attempted in this way to silence his rebukes and destroy his faithfulness. This was probably before John was imprisoned. So sinners often treat ministers kindly, and do much to make them comfortable, and hear them gladly, while they are still unwilling to do the thing which is demanded of them - to repent and believe the gospel.

So Mark 16:18 , "They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (see also Matthew 9:18 ; Matthew 19:13, 15 ; Mark 5:23 ; Mark 6:5 ; Mark 7:32 ; Mark 8:23, 25 ; Luke 4:40 ; Luke 13:13 ; Acts 9:12 ). It is also spoken of as an accompaniment of prayer in confirmation, ordination, etc. It has been remarked as curious that the two actions of taking up serpents and healing the sick by the laying on of hands should be in such close juxtaposition both here and in Mark 16:18 . It suggests the thought whether Luke had seen the passage in St. Mark; or whether the writer of Mark 16:18 had seen Acts 28:8 . Or is the coincidence accidental, arising out of the facts? Acts 28:8

[Reformed Biblical] sins. {k} "feared" Exodus 11:3; Ezekiel 2:5-7 "observed him" or, "kept him", or "saved him" ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Ch apter 6 - Verse 21 Verse 21. No Barnes text on this verse. {l} "???" Genesis 40:20 ## THE GOSPE L ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 6 - Verse 22 Verse 22. No Barnes text on this verse. {m} "and danc ed" Isaiah 3:16 ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 6 - Verse 23 Verse 23. No Barnes text on this verse. {n} "Whatsoev er" Esther 5:3,6; 7:2 ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 6 - Verse 24 Verse 24. No Barnes text on this verse. ## THE GOSPEL AC

[Reformed Biblical] xactly formed, or arranged; but that this was about the number. The expression indicates a multitude. There were so many, that they sat down, by hundreds and by fifties, in separate companies, on the green grass. ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 6 - Verse 41 Verse 41. No Barnes text on this verse. {v} "and blessed" 1 Sa 9:13; Matthew 26:26; Luke 24:30 ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 6 - Verse 42 Verse 42. No Barnes text on this verse. {w} "And they did" Deuteronomy 8:3 ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 6 - Verse 43 Verse 43. Twelve baskets. Baskets belonging to the disciples, in which they carried their provisions, or, perhaps, belonging to some of the multitude. Fragments. Broken pieces of the bread that remained. ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 6 - Verse 44 Verse 44. No Barnes text on this verse. ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 6 - Verse 45 ## Verses 45-56. See Barnes "Matthew 14:22" and Matthew 23:1-26:75 {x} "And straightway" Matthew 14:22; John 6:17 "before unto Bethsaida" or, "ov er against Bethsaida" ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 6 - Verse 46 Verse 46. No Barne s text on this verse. {y} "he departed" Matthew 6:6; Mr 1:35; Luke 6:12 ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK - Chapter 6 - Verse 47 Verse