Mark 6:18

For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

For {G1063} John {G2491} had said {G3004} unto Herod {G2264},{G3754} It is {G1832} not {G3756} lawful {G1832} for thee {G4671} to have {G2192} thy {G4675} brother's {G80} wife {G1135}.

but Yochanan had told him, "It violates the Torah for you to marry your brother's wife."

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

For John said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.

Mark 6:18 presents the pivotal moment where John the Baptist directly confronts King Herod Antipas regarding his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. This verse highlights John's unwavering commitment to truth and righteousness, even at great personal risk, setting the stage for his eventual martyrdom.

Historical and Cultural Context

Herod Antipas was one of the sons of Herod the Great, ruling as tetrarch over Galilee and Perea. His marriage to Herodias was scandalous for several reasons. Herodias was not only his niece but also the wife of his half-brother, Philip (not Philip the Tetrarch, but another Philip, son of Herod the Great and Mariamne II). According to Mosaic Law, specifically Leviticus 18:16 and 20:21, it was strictly forbidden to marry one's brother's wife while the brother was still alive, as it was considered incestuous. John the Baptist, acting as a prophet, boldly denounced this union, challenging Herod's moral authority and adherence to God's commandments. This public condemnation incensed Herodias, leading to John's imprisonment, as mentioned in Mark 6:17.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Prophetic Courage: John the Baptist exemplifies profound courage by speaking truth to power, challenging a corrupt ruler despite the clear danger to his own life. His actions serve as a testament to faithfulness over fear.
  • Upholding God's Law: The core of John's message was that Herod's marriage was "not lawful." This emphasizes the timeless importance of adhering to divine moral standards, even when they conflict with societal norms or personal desires.
  • Consequences of Righteousness: John's bold stand ultimately led to his imprisonment and execution, illustrating the potential cost of faithfulness to God's truth, a theme echoed in the lives of many prophets and ultimately by Christ himself.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "lawful" is exestin (ἔξεστιν), which conveys the idea of something being permissible or legitimate, often in a moral or religious sense. John's declaration was not merely a legalistic point but a profound moral and spiritual indictment, indicating that Herod's actions were contrary to God's established order and law, not just human custom.

Practical Application

This verse challenges believers to consider their own commitment to truth and righteousness. John's example calls us to:

  • Speak Truth Boldly: To courageously uphold biblical principles in a world that often compromises on moral issues, even when it is unpopular or difficult.
  • Live Righteously: To examine our own lives and ensure our actions align with God's commands, understanding that divine law applies to all, regardless of status or power.
  • Be Prepared for Opposition: To recognize that standing for righteousness may bring opposition or consequences, but faithfulness to God is paramount, as demonstrated by John's ultimate sacrifice.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Leviticus 18:16

    Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it [is] thy brother's nakedness.

  • Leviticus 20:21

    And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it [is] an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.

  • 1 Kings 22:14

    And Micaiah said, [As] the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.

  • Ezekiel 3:18

    When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

  • Ezekiel 3:19

    Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

  • Acts 20:26

    Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I [am] pure from the blood of all [men].

  • Acts 20:27

    For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

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