Mar 6:17-29 | Clarke

Mark 6:17-29

Verse 19

Would have killed - Εζητει, Sought to kill him. C and five of the Itala.

See the whole of this account, from Mar 6:17-29, explained on Mat 14:2-12 (note). Verse 21

Lords - Μεγιστασιν, probably governors of particular districts.

High captains - Χιλιαρχοις; literally, chiefs or captains over a thousand men, military chiefs.

Chief estates - Πρωτοις; probably such as might be called nobles by title only, having no office civil or military; probably magistrates. See Kypke an the place. Verse 23

Unto the half of my kingdom - A noble price for a dance! This extravagance in favor of female dancers has the fullest scope in the east, even to the present day. M. Anquetil du Perron, in the preliminary discourse to his Zend Avesta, p. 344 and 345, gives a particular account of the dancers at Surat. This account cannot be transcribed in a comment on the Gospel of God, however illustrative it might be of the conduct of Herodias and her daughter Salome: it is too abominable for a place here. He observes, that the rich vie with each other in the presents they make to the dancing girls of money and jewels; and that persons of opulence have even ruined themselves by the presents they made to those victims of debauch. He mentions a remarkable case, which may throw light on this passage: "That the dancer Laal-koner gained such a complete ascendancy over the Mogul Emperor Maaz-eddin, that he made her joint governess of the empire with himself." Verse 26

For their sakes which sat with him - Probably these persons joined in with the request, and were glad of this opportunity to get this light of Israel extinguished; he being a public reprover of all their vices.