And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

MARK 6:29KJV
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Mark 6:29 (KJV)

What does Mark 6:29 mean?

Mark 6:29 describes how, after hearing about John the Baptist’s death, his disciples came, took his body, and placed it in a tomb. The verse shows the disciples’ respect and care for John, even after his execution.

The verse takes place right after John the Baptist is killed by Herod. John’s followers, called his disciples, hear the news and take responsibility for his burial. This act demonstrates both their loyalty to John and the finality of his earthly ministry, as they give him a proper burial according to the customs of the time.

The Greek behind Mark 6:29

  • The word for "corpse" is πτῶμα (ptōma), which specifically means a dead body. This term emphasizes the reality of John’s death and the physical care his followers provided.
  • The word for "tomb" is μνημεῖον (mnēmeion), meaning a burial place or grave. This shows that John’s disciples honored him with a respectful burial, not just disposing of his body.

Why Mark 6:29 matters

  • Mark 6:29 clarifies that John the Baptist’s followers did not abandon him after his death; instead, they honored him by ensuring he was buried properly.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by highlighting the cost of speaking truth to power, as John’s ministry ends in martyrdom, and his disciples must now carry on without him.
  • The respectful burial given to John the Baptist foreshadows the burial of Jesus later in Mark’s Gospel, drawing a parallel between the two figures and their followers’ devotion.

Where else these words appear

“corpse” Greek G4430 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
  • Revelation 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
  • Revelation 11:9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

“tomb” Greek G3419 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 8:28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
  • Mark 16:8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
  • John 11:31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.

“laid” Greek G5087 · used in 94 verses

  • Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
  • John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
  • Acts 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

“up” Greek G142 · used in 98 verses

  • Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
  • Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
  • John 5:10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.