For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
feared.
Mark 11:18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
Exodus 11:3 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people.
1 Kings 21:20 And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.
observed him.
Mark 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
Psalm 106:12,13 Then believed they his words; they sang his praise…
Ezekiel 33:32 And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.
knowing that he was a righteous and holy man
John the Baptist's reputation as a righteous and holy man was well-known, and even Herod acknowledged this. Righteousness in biblical terms often refers to living in accordance with God's laws, while holiness implies being set apart for God's purposes. John's lifestyle, message of repentance, and baptism for the forgiveness of sins set him apart as a prophet. This recognition by Herod highlights the universal acknowledgment of John's moral and spiritual authority, similar to how even non-believers recognized the integrity of figures like Daniel in the Old Testament.
When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed
Herod's perplexity upon hearing John's words suggests an internal conflict. While he was intrigued by John's message, it also challenged his lifestyle and authority. This mirrors the reaction of many who encounter the truth of God's word, as seen in Acts 24:25, where Felix is alarmed by Paul's message. The perplexity indicates a struggle between conviction and the unwillingness to change, a common human experience when confronted with divine truth.
yet he listened to him gladly
Despite his perplexity, Herod found a certain pleasure in listening to John. This indicates that Herod was drawn to the truth and the power of John's message, even if he was not willing to fully embrace it. This paradox of being drawn to yet resisting the truth is seen in other biblical accounts, such as King Agrippa's reaction to Paul's testimony in Acts 26:28. Herod's gladness in listening to John suggests a recognition of the truth and beauty in John's message, even if it was not fully accepted.
• Scripture says, “Herod feared John” (Mark 6:20). The powerful tetrarch trembles before an austere desert preacher.
• This fear springs from conscience. Herod knows John speaks for God, and “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10).
• Matthew 14:5 adds that Herod also feared the crowd, “because they regarded John as a prophet,” revealing a man caught between public opinion and personal guilt.
• The scene reminds us that rank and title offer no shelter from the moral authority of God’s word (2 Samuel 12:7; Hebrews 4:12).
• Mark notes that Herod “kept him safe.” Ironically, the king who will soon authorize John’s death presently guards him from Herodias’ rage (Mark 6:19).
• God often restrains evil through unlikely instruments; Gamaliel’s intervention in Acts 5:34-39 is a parallel.
• John’s temporary safety illustrates divine timing: “My times are in Your hands” (Psalm 31:15). Nothing can shorten or lengthen a servant’s ministry apart from God’s sovereign plan (Jeremiah 1:19).
• Herod’s conscience discerns what his heart resists; he “knew that he was a righteous and holy man.”
• Righteous speaks of John’s integrity with people; holy points to his devotion to God. The combination mirrors Noah (Genesis 6:9) and Joseph (Genesis 41:38-39).
• Even unbelievers recognize genuine holiness (Luke 23:47). Herod’s acknowledgment condemns him later when he trades righteous blood for a dance and an oath (Mark 6:26-27).
• “When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed.” Truth unsettles a double mind (James 1:8).
• John confronted Herod’s unlawful marriage to Herodias (Luke 3:19). Conviction pierces, but without repentance it only confuses and torments (Acts 24:25).
• Herod’s perplexity shows that hearing truth without obeying it multiplies inner turmoil (Psalm 32:3-4).
• Paradoxically, Herod “listened to him gladly.” People often enjoy inspirational preaching while ignoring its demands (Ezekiel 33:31-32).
• The crowd “enjoyed” Jesus’ teaching (Mark 12:37), yet many walked away when the cost became clear (John 6:60-66).
• Herod’s pleasant interest never ripened into repentance. His delight ends in disaster, proving that agreeable feelings are no substitute for obedience (Matthew 7:26-27).
Mark 6:20 paints a conflicted ruler: awed by a prophet’s holiness, quick to shelter him, intrigued by his message, yet unwilling to surrender his sin. Fear, protection, recognition, perplexity, and enjoyment swirl in Herod’s heart, but without repentance every positive impulse stalls. The verse stands as a sober reminder that admiring truth is not the same as submitting to it; only a yielded heart escapes the tragic fate that later overtook Herod when he silenced the very voice God sent to save him.
(20) For Herod feared John.--The full description of Herod's feelings towards the Baptist is peculiar to St. Mark.A just man and an holy.--The two words indicate--the first, righteousness as seen in relation to man; the second, the same element of character in relation to God.
Observed him.--The word has been differently interpreted, but Luke 2:19, where it is translated "kept," seems decisive as to its meaning that Herod had a certain reverence for his prisoner. In English, however, to "keep" a man is ambiguous, and the "observed" of our version seems on the whole preferable to any other.
He did many things.--The better MSS. give, "he was much perplexed."
Verse 20. - The words in the Authorized Version are, When he heard him, he did many things (πολλὰ ἐποίει), and heard him gladly. But according to the best authorities the reading should be (πολλὰ ἠπόρει), he was much perplexed. In St. Luke, as stated above, we have (διηπόρει), "he was much perplexed." Nor is there any inconsistency in the next clause in St. Mark, if we accept this reading. Herod was not utterly depraved. There was to him a charm, not only in the character, but in the discourses of John the Baptist. But he was an inconsistent man, and was continually the victim of a conflict between the good and the evil within him, in which evil, alas! triumphed. Herodias, on the other hand, had always wished to get rid of John, as the stern and uncompromising reprover of her adultery and incest; and so at length she persuaded Herod to give way. "For," says Bede, "she feared lest Herod should at length repent, and yield to the exhortations of John, and dissolve this unreal marriage, and restore Herodias to her lawful husband."