Mark 6:16

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead!”

American Standard Version (1901)

But Herod, when he heard thereof, said, John, whom I beheaded, he is risen.

Bible in Basic English

But Herod, when he had news of it, said, John, whom I put to death, has come back from the dead.

Free Bible Version

But when Herod heard about it, he said, “It's John, the one I beheaded! He's come back from the dead!”

Geneva Bible 1599

So when Herod heard it, he said, It is Iohn whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

King James (Authorized) Version

But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

One Unity Resource Bible

But Herod [Heroic], when he heard this, said, “This is John [Yah is gracious], whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.”

Translation for Translators

Having heard what the people were saying, King Herod Antipas himself repeatedly said, “The man performing those miracles must be John! I commanded my soldiers to cut off his head, but he has come back to life again to get revenge for my killing him!”

Unlocked Literal Bible

But when Herod heard this he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

Noah Webster Bible

But when Herod heard of him , he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he hath risen from the dead.

World English Bible

But Herod, when he heard this, said, “This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.”

Young's Literal Translation

And Herod having heard, said — 'He whom I did behead — John — this is he; he was raised out of the dead.'

Context

The Beheading of John

¹⁵Others were saying, “He is Elijah,” and still others, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”¹⁶But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead!”¹⁷For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married.

Summary

In Mark 6:16, King Herod mistakenly believed that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead, showcasing his guilt and fear due to his role in John's unjust execution. This verse highlights the theme of divine justice and the consequences of sinful actions, even for those in positions of power. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising one's values for the sake of worldly approval, as seen in Herod's actions. Ultimately, Mark 6:16 underscores the importance of integrity and righteousness in the face of temptation and societal pressures.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded; he is risen from the dead--"himself has risen"; as if the innocence and sanctity of his faithful reprover had not suffered that he should lie long dead. Account of the Baptist's Imprisonment and Death (Mar 6:17-29).

John Gill Bible Commentary

But when Herod heard thereof,.... Either of Christ, or rather of the different opinions about him, he said, it is John, whom I have beheaded: the thought stuck close to him, and continued with him; he could not get rid of it, nor persuade himself to the contrary; nor could any of his servants get him off of it, but he affirmed it with the greatest assurance imaginable. These different sentiments of the people concerning Jesus, greatly perplexed the mind of Herod, as appears from Luk 9:7, for it was first given out by others, and not by Herod, that John the Baptist was risen from the dead; which he hearing of, gave him great uneasiness: he thoroughly considered the matter; he called to mind how he had used him, imprisoned him, and put him to death. At first he could not receive it, that since he was beheaded by him, he should be restored to life; but hearing of the miracles that were done by him, his conscience accused him, his fancy worked, and at length he firmly believed it, that he must be risen: and this sentiment, which he himself gave into at last, distressed him above all the rest, because of his concern in his death, fearing he was come to life to take vengeance on him: it might not sit very easy upon his mind, to bear that Elias had appeared the forerunner of the Messiah, the king of the Jews; who himself might be quickly expected, and who, he might fear, would seize upon, and take away that part of the kingdom which he was possessed of: and even to be told, that one of the prophets was risen from the dead, might be shocking to him; imagining that something of considerable moment was to be done, some revolution to be made; that the people would be stirred up by him, to attempt a change of government: but the first of these made the greatest impression on him, and what he could not get off, but fully gave into, as a thing unquestionable. He owns he beheaded John; he was conscious to himself of the sin, and confesses it; he does not lay it to the charge of Herodias and her daughter, though they requested it; the guilt of it lay upon his conscience, and he dreaded this appearance of John, as he fancied. And if he was a Sadducee before, as he has been thought to be, he now changed his mind, and believed a resurrection from the dead. So men may be convinced of sin, and entertain other and better notions of religion, and yet not be converted persons.