Mark 6 Verses 14 to 29 What Is Worth Dying For? June 8, 2025

Mark 6 Verses 14 to 29 What Is Worth Dying For? June  8, 2025 Lesson 10 The Remarkable Journey Continues Class Presentation Notes AAAA

Background Scriptures:

· John 3:10 (NASB95)

          10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?

· John 15:13 (NASB95)

          13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

· 1 John 1:9 (NASB95)

          9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

· Luke 7:28 (NASB95)

          28 “I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

· Galatians 6:7 (NASB95)

          7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

Main Idea:

· A guilty conscience is a cruel companion.

Study Aim:

· To understand that as believers there are things such as faith, freedom, and family that are worth dying for.

Create Interest:

· If the connection with Mark 6:6–13 may be pressed, it was the mission activity of Jesus and the Twelve throughout Galilee which brought to Herod’s attention popular reports concerning Jesus. Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great and Malthace, was tetrarch of Galilee and Perea from his father’s death in 4 B.C. to A.D. 39. His total disregard for Jewish sensitivity was displayed not only in his marriage to Herodias.[1] Let’s look back in history and see what we can learn about our calling to stand for Jesus.

Lesson in Historical Context:

Herod’s Misunderstanding of Christ and Its Reason (6:14–29)

· Gospel readers are given an extended view of why one prominent individual doesn’t receive Jesus in faith. Herod’s complete misunderstanding of Jesus, and the cause of that misunderstanding, is related in fascinating detail, allowing the reader a vivid glimpse into Herod’s wrong conclusions about Jesus’ identity.[2]

· It is striking that so much space is devoted to the death of John the Baptist in Mark, more space than in any of the other Gospels (cf. Matt. 14:1–12; Luke 3:19–20; 9:7–9). This suggests that this episode had a special significance for Mark, as we shall see, prefiguring the death of Jesus. We must remember that at several points in Mark, Jesus and John are closely connected. Jesus begins his ministry after John’s arrest (1:14), and Jesus links the message of John with his own ministry in 11:27–33. Further, it appears likely that the Elijah figure Jesus speaks of in 9:10–13 is John the Baptist, and in this last passage the fate of this “Elijah” is linked with the fate of the “Son of Man,” Jesus. Indeed, Mark 9:10–13 is to be taken as the commentary on Mark 6:14–29.

o Mark 9:10–13 (NASB95)

10 They seized upon that statement, discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant.

                    11 They asked Him, saying, “Why is itthat the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

                    12 And He said to them, “Elijah does first come and restore all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt?

                    13 “But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written of him.”

· The similarities between John the Baptist and Elijah help to explain the way John’s death is narrated in Mark. Herod, who both fears John and resents him, is made to resemble Ahab, the king of Israel, in his attitude toward Elijah.

· Herodias, who schemes to kill John, resembles Jezebel, Ahab’s wife, who had a special hatred for Elijah (see 1 Kings 16:29–19:3; 21:1–29, and the historical notes on the figures in the present story).

· Thus, several characteristics of Mark’s account help the reader see that John the Baptist is the prophet like Elijah predicted in Malachi 4:5.[3]

Bible Study:

Mark 6:14–16 (NASB95)

14 And King Herod heard of it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him.”

15 But others were saying, “He is Elijah.” And others were saying, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”

16 But when Herod heard of it, he kept saying, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen!”

· By this time news of Jesus had penetrated all over the country. The tale had reached the ears of Herod. The reason why he had not up to this time heard of Jesus may well be due to the fact that his official residence in Galilee was in Tiberias. Tiberias was largely a Gentile city, and, as far as we know, Jesus never set foot in it. But the mission of the Twelve had taken Jesus’ fame all over Galilee, so that his name was upon every lip.

 In this passage we have three verdicts upon Jesus held by Herod…Let’s examine each one.

· There is the verdict of a guilty conscience. Herod had been guilty of allowing the execution of John the Baptizer, and now he was haunted by what he had done.

o Whenever a man does an evil thing, the whole world becomes his enemy. Inwardly, he cannot command his thoughts; and, whenever he allows himself to think, his thoughts return to the wicked thing that he has done. No man can avoid living with himself; and when his inward self is an accusing self, life becomes intolerable. Outwardly, he lives in fear that he will be found out and that someday the consequences of his evil deed will catch up on him.

· When Herod heard of Jesus, the first thing that flashed into his mind was that this was John the Baptizer whom he had killed, come back to reckon with him.

o Because a sinning life is a haunted life, sin is never worth the cost.

· There is the verdict of the nationalist. Some thought that this Jesus was Elijah come again. The Jews waited for the Messiah. There were many ideas about the Messiah, but the commonest of all was that he would be a conquering king who would first give the Jews back their liberty and who would then lead them on a triumphant campaign throughout the world. It was an essential part of that belief that, before the coming of the Messiah, Elijah, the greatest of the prophets, would come again to be his herald and his forerunner.

o This is the verdict of the man who desired to find in Jesus the realization of his own ambitions.

§ He thinks of Jesus, not as someone to whom he must submit and whom he must obey; he thinks of Jesus as someone he can use. Such a man thinks more of his own ambitions than of the will of God.

· Note for historical interest.  Elijah (6:15). The first of a long line of prophets who spoke against Israel’s idolatry following the division of David and Solomon’s kingdom in 931 BC. Elijah worked great miracles and was considered the prototype of the prophets by the Jews of Jesus’ day. In addition, the prophet Malachi predicted Elijah’s return just prior to God’s final judgment upon the world (see Malachi 4:5).[4]

o Even to this day, when the Jews celebrate the Passover Feast, they leave at the table an empty chair called Elijah’s chair. They place it there with a glass of wine before it, and at one part of their service they go to the door and fling it wide open, that Elijah may come in and bring at last the long-awaited news that the Messiah has come.

· There is the verdict of the man who is waiting for the voice of God. There were those who saw in Jesus a prophet. In those days the Jews were pitifully conscious that for three hundred years the voice of prophecy had been silent.

o They had listened to the arguments and the legal arguments of the Rabbis;

o They had listened to the moral lectures of the synagogue;

o It was three long centuries since they had listened to a voice which proclaimed, “Thus saith the Lord.”

§ Men in those days were listening for the authentic voice of God—and in Jesus they heard it.   Herod did not grip it.

· It is true that Jesus was more than a prophet.

o He did not bring only the voice of God, He brought to men the very power and the very life and the very being of God.

o Those who saw in Jesus a prophet were, at least, more right than the conscience-stricken Herod and the expectant nationalists.

· If they had got that length in their thoughts of Jesus, it was not impossible that they might take the further step and see in him the Son of God. [5]

Mark 6:17–18 (NASB95)

17     For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her.

18     For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

· Mark included this section not only to supplement 1:14 and further clarify 6:16, but also to provide a “passion narrative” of Jesus’ forerunner that foreshadowed and paralleled Jesus’ own suffering and death.

o His focus was on what Herod and Herodias did to John. Perhaps he included so many details to draw a parallel to the Elijah-Jezebel conflict since Jesus later identified John as Elijah (9:11–13).

· Mark explained (gar, for) that Herod himself hadordered John to be put in prison. According to Josephus, this prison was at the fortress-palace of Machaerus near the northeastern shore of the Dead Sea (The Antiquities of the Jews 18. 5. 2). Herod did this because of Herodias, an ambitious woman who was his second wife.

· Herod had first married a daughter of the Arabian king, Aretas IV. Then he became enamored with his half-niece Herodias (daughter of his half-brother, Aristobulus) who was married to Herod’s half-brother (brother means half-brother) Philip (her half-uncle; cf. Josephus The Antiquities of the Jews 18. 5. 1–2). They had a daughter, Salome. Heroddivorced his wife in order to marry Herodias who had divorced Philip (not the Philip of Luke 3:1). John hadrepeatedly denounced this marriage as unlawful (cf. Lev. 18:16; 20:21).[6]  (sounds like a soap opera of today, but ends worse).

Thoughts to Soak on:

· Herod Antipas was one of the three sons of Herod the Great—the Herod who, following Jesus’ birth, had ordered the deaths of all males less than two years of age. Herod Antipas took his brother Philip’s wife—a union that John the Baptist had denounced as immoral, and over which he “lost his head”…literally.

· Why didn’t Herod call for this “One he thought was John” in so he could investigate for himself? Perhaps it was because he thought John, Jesus, or whoever this was would be out to get him.

o People make the same mistake today. They look at Jesus as One who is sure to point His finger at them.

o But such is not the case

§ Jesus is the One who dialogued freely with sinners (Matthew 11:19),

§ Jesus ate alongside sinners (Matthew 9:10),

§ Jesus stood up for sinners (John 8:7),

§ Jesus gave great hope to sinners.

· Jesus’ rebukes, in fact, were reserved for the religious people—those who were pious and proud that they “weren’t like other men”.  Luke 18:11 (NASB95) “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

o I believe had Herod called for Jesus at this time, he would have found Jesus to be exactly who He is to this day: meek and lowly in heart (Matthew 11:29), the Friend of Sinners.[7]

Mark 6:19–29 (NASB95)

19     Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death and could not do so;

20     for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him.

21     A strategic day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his lords and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee;

22     and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.”

23     And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom.”

24     And she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.”

25     Immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

26     And although the king was very sorry, yetbecause of his oaths and because of his dinner guests, he was unwilling to refuse her.

27     Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded himto bring back his head. And he went and had him beheaded in the prison,

28     and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.

29     When his disciples heard about this, they came and took away his body and laid it in a tomb.

· John the Baptist was a preacher of holiness, by his life and by his word. Filled with the Holy Spirit, “even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15), John called men to repentance and to a life of righteousness. That the holiness of his character was ethical in quality, and not merely ceremonial or positional, is seen in the fact that it is linked with righteousness. He was a just (righteous) and holy man (vs. 20). In a state of divided mind, Herod kept John safe in prison (the meaning of observed) and yet often heard him gladly. As rulers of the Jewish people, the Herod’s were “interested in religion” and often sampled religious instruction (cf. Acts 26:1–3). Yet when Herod heard John “he was much perplexed”.[8]

· Queen” Herodias hated John, wanted to kill him, and patiently waited for the most convenient time. In their evil character and lawless deeds, these two remind us of Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 18–21) as previously noted.

· The “strategic day” came (Mark 6:21, nasb) for Herodias to put her plan into action: the celebration of Herod’s birthday. Royal feasts were extravagant both in their display of wealth and in their provision for pleasure. The Jews would not have permitted a woman to dance before a group of men, and most Gentile mothers would have forbidden a daughter to do what the daughter of Herodias did. (History informs us that the girl’s name was Salome.) But the girl was a part of the mother’s plan to get rid of John the Baptist, and Salome played her part well.

· When Herod heard the girl’s goulish request for John’s head on a platter, he was “greatly distressed” (see Mark 14:34, where the same verb is used of Jesus);

o He had to be true to his promise or lose face before a group of influential people. The word oath in Mark 6:26 is actually in the plural—“for his many oaths’ sake”—because Herod had repeatedly declared his desire to reward the girl for her performance. This was one way he had of impressing his guests, but it backfired.

o Herod had not been courageous enough to obey John’s word, but now he had to obey his own word! The result was the death of an innocent man.

Thoughts to Soak On:

· It is remarkable that there is no evidence that any of the Jewish leaders did anything to rescue John the Baptist after he had been arrested.

o The common people considered John a prophet sent from God, but the religious leaders did not obey John’s message (Mark 11:27–33).

· John’s death was the first of three notable violent deaths in the history of Israel.

o The other two are the crucifixion of Christ and the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7).

o Herod had feared that John’s messages would stir up a revolt among the people, something he wanted to avoid. Also, he wanted to please his wife, even though it meant the murdering of a godly man.

o John’s disciples were permitted to take the body of their leader and bury it, and then they went to tell Jesus what had happened (Matt. 14:12). No doubt the report of John’s death deeply stirred our Lord, for He knew that one day His own life would be laid down.

· We meet Herod Antipas one more time in the Gospels, when he “tried” Jesus and hoped to see the Lord perform a miracle (Luke 23:6–12). Jesus would not even speak to this adulterer and murderer, let alone please him by doing a miracle! Jesus called Herod a “fox” (Luke 13:31–35), an apt description of this crafty man. In a.d. 39, Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:1), nephew of Herod Antipas, denounced his uncle to the Roman emperor, and Antipas was deposed and sent into exile.

o “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)[9]

Further thoughts to soak on:

· This account puts the question to us, if we desire or design to be kingdom-agents in our own world, on this further side of Jesus’ actual resurrection: what should we be doing, that the powers of the world would hear about it and scratch their heads in puzzlement? And are we prepared for the result?

· Mark is quite clear what will happen to people who announce, and inaugurate, God’s kingdom. The present story of John, including Herod’s garbled and muddled thinking, points forward to the greater story that is yet to come.

o Herod is wrong, but not completely wrong; for in Jesus the resurrection power of God is indeed at work—not because he’s John, back from the dead, but because he is the one through whom, not very long from now, death will indeed be overcome. The mighty works he is doing at the moment, taking on the kingdom of darkness and beating it, will reach their climax in his personal decisive confrontation with that kingdom.

o But first he, like John, must suffer a cruel and unjust death on Calvary’s cross.

· Christians in many parts of today’s world still face torture and death for their faith.

o They may take comfort, and the rest of us may be strengthened in our prayers for them, from the strange story of Jesus, Herod and John.

· The God who called and equipped John and Jesus, and who through them confronted Herod and by implication all other rulers, remains sovereign.

o Those who watch what’s going on may draw all the wrong conclusions.

§ God knows what the right ones are.

§ God will vindicate and reward those who remain faithful to their calling in the face of intimidation, persecution and death itself.[10]

In Summary of our lesson……………………………………

· In the end, Herod saw Jesus. The king was undoubtedly relieved that He was not John risen from the grave. He was in truth far more, but to Herod Jesus seemed like far less—nothing more than a novelty whom he ridiculed and sent back to Pilate.

· In his interactions with both John the Baptist and Jesus, Herod Antipas stands like Judas as a monumentally tragic figure in history.

o He had the greatest man who had ever lived, the most honored prophet of God in his hands, and he locked him in a dungeon until he had him executed.

o More importantly, he had an audience with the King of kings, and he mocked Him and turned Him away. Such wasted opportunity was the result of his insidious love for sin, his arrogant unwillingness to believe, and his cowardly fear of the truth.

· Herod claimed to rule over others, but in reality, he was a man controlled by the fear of man.

o His fear of the people initially kept him from killing John.

o His fear of his friends finally compelled him to authorize John’s execution.

o His fear of John made him anxious when he heard about Jesus.

o But, his fear turned to scorn when he finally had an audience with the Son of God.

§ Herod feared everyone except the Lord, and he lost his soul as a result.  Is it worth it when others reject Christ with the same ending loss?

· Hours after that meeting with Herod, Jesus would be nailed to the cross. His death fulfilled the warning He had earlier issued to the Jewish religious leaders:

o “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!” (Matt. 23:37–38).

o Having rejected the ministry of John, the religious leaders also rejected the Messiah to whom he and every other Old Testament prophet pointed.

§ Consequently, they came under God’s severe and everlasting judgment, along with the apostate nation they represented (cf. Rom. 11:25, 28).[11]

Note:  As a writer who addresses a very diverse groups of Bible students scattered around the Earth, I find it challenging to know into what detail and application do I go.   I pray what I have presented will help allin some way to better understand the Scriptures in at least a little depth, and to apply the lesson in various ways as exampled below for your learning pleasure.

Illustrations for your benefit and personal application:

· The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Book of Daniel illustrates that standing up for one’s beliefs can lead to dire consequences.

o When commanded to bow to an idol, they refused, declaring they would rather face the fiery furnace than betray their God. Their faith in God ultimately showed that there are things, like faith and freedom, that are truly worth dying for.

· We see the Apostle Paul, who wrote letters from prison, enduring hardships for the sake of the Gospel. He faced beatings, shipwrecks, and imprisonment, yet persisted in preaching Christ.

o Paul’s life exemplifies the belief that our faith and the community of believers (family) are worth sacrificing for, illustrating how strong conviction can guide us in times of trial.

· During World War II, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor and theologian, stood against the Nazi regime. He recognized that his faith and the truth of the Gospel were at stake.

o Bonhoeffer risked everything, even his life, to oppose evil and stand up for what was right, ultimately being executed for his beliefs. His unwavering commitment reminds us that faith is indeed worth dying for.

· From the American Civil Rights Movement, we remember Martin Luther King Jr. He sacrificed his life for the freedoms and rights of others, believing that justice, love, and family are worth fighting for.

o His ultimate sacrifice echoes the charge of believers to live and, if necessary, die for the things that matter…. faith, freedom, and family, mirroring the heart of Christ's call on our lives.

Applications to consider for your daily life:

· You might have pressure to conform to societal norms rather than standing up for your faith. This week, consider how to express your beliefs during family discussions about current events or moral decisions.

o Take a stand for your Christian values by sharing how your faith influences your perspective, even if it’s uncomfortable. Open a dialogue, encouraging others to share their views as well, creating a respectful environment where faith can guide discussions.

· You may be experiencing tension within your family regarding differing beliefs about faith. If this is the case, take the initiative to host a family night where you can share testimonies of how your faith has shaped your life and choices.

o Encourage family members to express their own experiences related to faith. This could bridge gaps, promote understanding, and cultivate a space where faith becomes a shared family value rather than a point of division.

· You could be facing ethical dilemmas where the pressure to conform is strong. In such moments, remind yourself that standing firm in your values is part of your witness.

o Create a personal ‘statement of faith in the workplace’ and share it with trusted colleagues, encouraging them to do the same. This may not only bolster your own courage but could inspire a culture of accountability.

o Also, be prepared to provide an explanation for your decisions when they align with your faith.

· Feeling isolated at work? Maybe you notice colleagues who seem to harbor similar values but haven’t found the courage to express them.

o Begin by reaching out to these individuals, inviting them for coffee or lunch to discuss mutual concerns about workplace culture.

o You could propose forming a ‘values committee’ that explores ways to promote a faith-friendly environment, tackling relevant issues together that reflect your commitment to both faith and ethical practices.

· As you lead discussions in public spaces, it can be difficult to assert your Christian beliefs without fear of backlash.

o This week, practice addressing controversial topics—such as ethics or morality—by grounding your responses in scripture and showing love and understanding to differing viewpoints.

o Plan to contribute to discussions on social media or community boards, always aiming to represent Jesus compassionately.

§ By doing so, you remind others of the hope and freedom found in Him, even amidst challenging conversations.

Grace and peace to all who read this lesson…………………….

[1]William L. Lane, The Gospel of Mark, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1974), 211.

[2]Douglas Mangum, ed., Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament, Lexham Context Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020), Mk 6:14–29.

[3]Larry W. Hurtado, Mark, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2011), 94–95.

[4]The Navigators, LifeChange: Mark, ed. Karen Lee-Thorp, The LifeChange Bible Study Series (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2013), 71.

[5]William Barclay, ed., The Gospel of Mark, The Daily Study Bible Series (Philadelphia, PA: The Westminster John Knox Press, 1976), 146–148.

[6]John D. Grassmick, “Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 128–129.

[7]Jon Courson, Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2003), 247.

[8]A. Elwood Sanner, “The Gospel according to Mark,” in Matthew, Mark, Luke, Beacon Bible Commentary (Beacon Hill Press, 1964), Mk 6:14–29.

[9]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 131.

[10]Tom Wright, Mark for Everyone(London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2004), 73.

[11]John MacArthur, Mark 1–8, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2015), 309–310.