Mark 6:18 (KJV)

What does Mark 6:18 mean?

Mark 6:18 means that John the Baptist told Herod it was against the law for him to marry his brother’s wife. John was openly confronting Herod about a specific action that violated Jewish law.

In this verse, John the Baptist is speaking directly to Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee. The situation is that Herod had taken Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, as his own wife. John’s statement is a clear rebuke, pointing out that this marriage was not permitted according to the laws followed by the Jewish people at that time.

The Greek behind Mark 6:18

• οὐκ ἔξεστιν (ouk exestin, "it is not lawful"): This phrase means something is not permitted or allowed, especially in a legal or moral sense. John is not just giving advice; he is declaring that Herod’s action is a clear violation of established law.
• ἔχειν (echein, "to have"): In this context, the Greek word for "have" often means to possess or be joined to someone in marriage. This makes it clear that John is objecting specifically to the marital relationship, not just any association.
• γυναικα (gynaika, "wife"): The word used for "wife" underscores that the issue is about marriage, not simply a relationship or affair.

Why Mark 6:18 matters

• Mark 6:18 helps clarify why John the Baptist was imprisoned and later executed—he was not just a religious figure, but someone who challenged the moral actions of powerful leaders.
• The verse highlights the courage of John in confronting wrongdoing, even when it involved someone as powerful as Herod.
• This verse also sets up the tension that leads to the events that follow in Mark’s narrative, showing the personal and political risks of speaking out for what was considered right.