Mark 6:18

18 For John said to Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have the wife of thy brother.

Mark 6:18 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 6:18

For John had said unto Herod
He had been personally with him, and had plainly and freely told him of his sin, and faithfully reproved him for it; alleging what he had done was contrary to the law of God:

it is not lawful, for thee to have thy brother's wife:
(See Gill on Matthew 14:4).

Mark 6:18 In-Context

16 But Herod when he heard [it] said, John whom *I* beheaded, he it is; *he* is risen [from among the dead].

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

18 For John said to Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have the wife of thy brother.

19 But Herodias kept it [in her mind] against him, and wished to kill him, and could not:

20 for Herod feared John knowing that he was a just and holy man, and kept him safe; and having heard him, did many things, and heard him gladly.

Footnotes

• [a] Imperfect tense, 'kept saying:' see Matt. 14.4. Cf. Mark 1.45.