The parallels between John"s burial and Jesus" are also striking (cf. Mark 15:42-47). John died alone; his disciples were not with him. The same was true of Jesus with the exception of His disciple John and some of His female disciples. Herod gave John"s disciples permission to bury his corpse as Pilate permitted Joseph of Arimathea to bury Jesus. The disciples of each man gave their teacher an honorable burial in a tomb. [source][source][source]
This pericope shows that people who preach repentance and point to Jesus as the Messiah can expect opposition, persecution, imprisonment, and perhaps a martyr"s death. This is a comfort for disciples who suffer for their witness for Jesus. It does not relieve them of their suffering or hold out the hope of escape, but it does enable them to see that they are in the best of company. This is some encouragement. Historically martyrs have found strength in remembering that they are part of a large company who have shared the sufferings of their Savior. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Mark 6:21-29 - Martyrdom Of A Witness-Bearer
Better the dungeon with John than the palace with Herod, for conscience filled the palace with the ghost of the murdered Baptist! A woman brought Herod to that. How careful women should be of the influence they exert over men; how careful men should be of yielding to any but the noblest influence! This family was eaten with lust, usually coupled with cruelty. No vice ever dwells alone. John the Baptist had a brief and tortuous career; for a few months the central figure of the nation, and then hurled down into the darkness of the dungeon, like some extinguished torch. No wonder that his specter haunted the heart of Herod, who thought that in Jesus he had become reincarnate. The messenger may fall, but the message is taken up and passed on by a thousand lips. Notice the contrast between John's end and that of our Lord. In John's case the disciples who had hearkened to his every word dispersed. The head had fallen, and the members were scattered. None thought of proclaiming their departed leader as still the living head and center of the movement he had set on foot. But when our Lord died, His true influence over men began. Up to that time he had been the Jewish rabbi; thenceforward he became the Redeemer of the world. [source]
Chapter Summary: Mark 6
1Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country 7He gives the twelve power over unclean spirits 14Various opinions of Jesus 16John the Baptist is imprisoned, beheaded, and buried 30The apostles return from preaching 34The miracle of five loaves and two fishes 45Jesus walks on the sea; 53and heals all who touch him
Greek Commentary for Mark 6:29
His corpse [το πτωμα αυτου] See note on Matthew 24:28. It was a mournful time for the disciples of John. “They went and told Jesus” (Matthew 14:12). What else could they do? [source]
Corpse [] See on Matthew 24:28. Stier (“Words of Jesus”) says of Herod' “This man, whose inner life was burnt out; who was made up of contradictions, speaking of his kingdom like Ahasuerus, and yet the slave of his Jezebel; willingly hearing the prophet, and unwillingly killing him; who will be a Sadducee, and yet thinks of a resurrection; who has a superstitious fear of the Lord Jesus, and yet a curiosity to see him.”-DIVIDER-
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Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 6:29
Matthew 24:28Carcase [πτῶμα] From πίπτω , to fall. Originallya fall, and thence a fallen body; acorpse. Compare Lat. cadaver, from cado, to fall. See Mark 6:29; Revelation 11:8. On the saying itself, compare Job 39:30. [source]
Luke 9:20The Christ of God [Τον χριστον του τεου] The accusative though the infinitive is not expressed. The Anointed of God, the Messiah of God. See note on Luke 2:11 for “the Anointed of the Lord.” See note on Matthew 16:17 for discussion of Peter‘s testimony in full. Mark 6:29 has simply “the Christ.” It is clear from the previous narrative that this is not a new discovery from Simon Peter, but simply the settled conviction of the disciples after all the defections of the Galilean masses and the hostility of the Jerusalem ecclesiastics. The disciples still believed in Jesus as the Messiah of Jewish hope and prophecy. It will become plain that they do not grasp the spiritual conception of the Messiah and his kingdom that Jesus taught, but they are clear that he is the Messiah however faulty their view of the Messiah may be. There was comfort in this for Jesus. They were loyal to him. [source]
Greek Commentary for Mark 6:29
See note on Matthew 24:28. It was a mournful time for the disciples of John. “They went and told Jesus” (Matthew 14:12). What else could they do? [source]
See on Matthew 24:28. Stier (“Words of Jesus”) says of Herod' “This man, whose inner life was burnt out; who was made up of contradictions, speaking of his kingdom like Ahasuerus, and yet the slave of his Jezebel; willingly hearing the prophet, and unwillingly killing him; who will be a Sadducee, and yet thinks of a resurrection; who has a superstitious fear of the Lord Jesus, and yet a curiosity to see him.”-DIVIDER- [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 6:29
From πίπτω , to fall. Originallya fall, and thence a fallen body; acorpse. Compare Lat. cadaver, from cado, to fall. See Mark 6:29; Revelation 11:8. On the saying itself, compare Job 39:30. [source]
The accusative though the infinitive is not expressed. The Anointed of God, the Messiah of God. See note on Luke 2:11 for “the Anointed of the Lord.” See note on Matthew 16:17 for discussion of Peter‘s testimony in full. Mark 6:29 has simply “the Christ.” It is clear from the previous narrative that this is not a new discovery from Simon Peter, but simply the settled conviction of the disciples after all the defections of the Galilean masses and the hostility of the Jerusalem ecclesiastics. The disciples still believed in Jesus as the Messiah of Jewish hope and prophecy. It will become plain that they do not grasp the spiritual conception of the Messiah and his kingdom that Jesus taught, but they are clear that he is the Messiah however faulty their view of the Messiah may be. There was comfort in this for Jesus. They were loyal to him. [source]