Mark 6:19   Unlike Herod, Herodias was not held up by any artificial piety. She was wicked with the mask off. But, she lacked the power of Herod and had to wait for an opportunity for revenge. 2 Samuel 12:1-13:39 James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow…

Mark 6:18   John was not afraid to speak the truth. It seems likely that Herod himself gave John the opportunity to make this statement. There was some sense of the truth in Herod. Indeed, being an Idumean king of the Jews, he had to have some sense of piety, no matter how strange of a…

Mark 6:17   Herod apparently always regretted, or at least felt guilty about his decision to imprison, and later behead, John. 2 Samuel 4:1-7:29 James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Heavenly Father, may…

Mark 6:16   This tells us that this particular opinion was unique to Herod. Many time people in power who have gained and kept it by questionable means, are very jumpy. Herod the Tetrarch, no matter how intelligent, was borderline crazy. This malady is not uncommon for someone in his position. 2 Samuel 1:1-3:39 James 1:16…

Mark 6:15   Various views were being circulated about Christ. Only one of them was correct. However, even those who made the right guess were doing just that, guessing. Few recognized, understood, and believed the truth. Jesus is indeed the Prophet, greater than Moses of old. 1 Samuel 28:1-31:13 James 1:15 “Then when lust hath conceived,…

Mark 6:14   Herod the Tetrarch, like many other people in his day, was superstitious. Obviously he still felt a tinge of guilt concerning John and had had a premonition of revenge. Unfortunately, this kind of superstitious ignorance rarely leads to any real repentance. 1 Samuel 25:1-27:12 James 1:14 “But every man is tempted, when he…

Mark 6:13   The anointing with oil carried no significance in and of itself.It did not bring healing. But, it served as a help to those healed. They could look back at the time when they were healed. This is especially helpful in the case of those who had intermittent diseases. 1 Samuel 22:1-24:22 James 1:13…

Mark 6:12   Repentance is once again the message. It is amazing today how many try separate the message of the gospel form the call to repentance. But, it is just not possible. Preaching salvation without repentance is like offering a life preserver to an Olympic swimmer. 1 Samuel 19:1-21:15 James 1:12 “Blessed is the man…

Mark 6:11   This was a way to let those who rejected the truth know that there is a day of judgment coming. The message of the Christ is not an option. It is meant to be heard and accepted. It is the spirit of the antichrist that would work to deny the truth of the…

Mark 6:10   The paradigm for hospitality in those days was much different than today. Back in those days, good house-guests were very welcomed and valued. The staying of the disciples in a house wold bring great blessing to it, and those who recognized the truth would not see their stay as an imposition. Though many…