Mark 6:14

King James Version (KJV)

And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

And king Herod heard? - Την ακοην αοτου, his fame, is added by KM, fifteen others, and in the margin of several. It seems necessary to complete the sense.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Verses 14-20

See this account of the death of John the Baptist fully explained in the notes at Matthew 14:1-12.

Mark 6:20

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. They expect that their kind attentions will be accepted in the place of what God demands - repentance and the forsaking of their sins.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

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.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

14. King Herod. [Martyrdom of John the Baptist, Mark 6:14-29=Matt. 14:1, 2, 6-12=Luke 9:7-9. Major comment: Mark. See The Ministry of Our Lord ] Matthew mentions Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great and ruler of Galilee and Peraea by authority of Rome (see on Matt. 2:22; Luke 3:1). Both Matthew (ch. 14:1) and Luke refer to Herod Antipas by his official title, “tetrarch” (see on Luke 3:1). He was “king” only by Roman appointment, and the title “king” was permitted only as a courtesy. He ruled over his territory from the death of his father, Herod the Great, in 4 b.c., to a.d. 39. His mother was Malthace, a Samaritan, who was also the mother of Archelaus (see on Matt. 2:22). His official residence was probably at Tiberias, a city he built on the southwestern shore of the Lake of Galilee and named after the then-ruling Caesar, Tiberius. See p. 64; The Hasmonaeans and the Herods and Palestine Under the Herodians.

Heard of him. The extensive labors of the Twelve during the course of the Third Galilean Tour were evidently sufficient to call widespread attention to Jesus and His work, and to stir the fear of Herod that Jesus was John risen from the dead. Whereas on the two previous evangelistic expeditions there had been but one group going from village to village, now there were seven. Evidently the reports coming to Herod, from all quarters, revealed a rapid extension of the gospel. Whereas in the past Jesus may have appeared to the authorities to be no more than a solitary itinerant preacher accompanied by a motley group of followers, it was now evident that He represented a far larger movement. Herod could no longer help hearing of him.

John the Baptist was risen. It seems to have been superstition combined with a guilty conscience that led Herod to this conclusion.

Mighty works. See p. 208. John had performed no miracles (John 10:41).

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

1. From thence. [Opening of the Samaritan-Peraean Ministry, Mark 10:1=Matt. 19:1, 2=Luke 9:51-56. Major comment: Matthew and Luke.] That is, from Capernaum (see ch. 9:33).

John the Baptist was risen. It seems to have been superstition combined with a guilty conscience that led Herod to this conclusion.

Mighty works. See p. 208. John had performed no miracles (John 10:41).

Farther side. That is, Peraea (see on Matt. 19:1).

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Cross References

king Herod