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Mark 6:14-29
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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • XVIII.1, 4-9, 11-19; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160).
  • VI.7, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen], Origen. (c.230)
  • X.20, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
  • From the Catena Aurea, Patristic Commentary by St Thomas Aquinas.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "The gospel confirms the godly and vexes the wicked."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "Thus many love good preaching, if it keep far away from their beloved sin."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "Herod Antipas, one of the three sons of Herod the Great, and own brother of Archelaus (Mt 2:22), who ruled as ethnarch over Galilee and Perea."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • "Herod Antipas," "Salome," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog.
    • "He turned pale when he heard that a new prophet named Jesus was stirring up trouble because he was sure that it must be John come back from the grave to get even, and he decided to have him taken care of a second time."
  • Commentary, Mark 6:14-29 (Pentecost 7B), Emerson Powery, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
    • "However one understands the relationship between John and Jesus, one thing is certain: agents of God who challenge those in power usually suffer significant consequences."
  • "The River of John," Jan Richardson, The Painted Prayerbook, 2012. Use of images.
    • "How do we abandon ourselves to this purpose and to the One who calls us to it, and move ever more deeply into the self that God created us to be?"
  • "The Downfall of Giving into Fear," James M. Childs, ON Scripture, Odyssey Networks, 2012.
    • "If the repentant faithful were drawn to the Baptist, seeking a word of cleansing and a reason for hope, others had very different reactions. Some religious leaders, who coveted their role as the true arbiters of the faith, were skeptical, if not hostile."
  • "Tell the Truth Twice," David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, 2012.
    • "So tell the truth this week, Working Preacher, tell the truth of the human predicament that we know and watch and revel in and despair over. But then tell us the second truth, the truth of God's loving response to us and our predicament and God's tenacious, indefatigable effort to redeem us by writing us -- and writing us into -- a better story than we deserve or can imagine."
  • "Randy Sots and Righteous Prophets," D Mark Davis, raw translation and exegesis/questions, Left Behind and Loving It, 2012.
    • "I get the feeling that John is the only one in the crowd willing to say 'The Emperor is naked.'"
  • "One Powerful Witness," Janet Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2012.
    • "What's the power of a witness? Who do you know who has functioned like John the Baptist? When have you been called to do so?"
  • "Two Dances," Steve Garnaas-Holmes," Unfolding Light, 2012.
  • "You're a Prophet? Have You Lost Your Head?" Peter Woods, I Am Listening, 2012.
    • "Prophetic witness and personal or political expediency do not have a good history of co-existence."
  • Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2012.
    • "In the ancient near east, among the potentates and plutocrats, marriage was a matter of politics. Antipas' first marriage was to the daughter of Aretas, the king of the Nabateans. It was a political marriage. Nabatea, on the southeast border of Antipas' Perea, was a regional power, and a potential threat to Antipas."
  • "Silver Platters," Rick Morley, 2012.
    • "The question that rises to the top for me is: Why does Mark tell this story?"
  • "Herod's Choice: The Beheading of John the Baptist," Alyce M. McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, Patheos, 2012.
  • "A Birthday Goes Bad," Lisa Moss Degrenia, 2012.
    • "How is it possible that Herod Antipater was able to accomplish significant building projects and rule for over forty years?"
  • The Execution of John the Baptist, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2012.
  • "At What Cost?" Sharron R Blezard, Stewardship of Life, 2012.
    • "How do we count the cost of being a disciple of Jesus?"
  • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Mark 6:14-29, David Ewart, 2012.
    • "Just in case we are getting too excited and thinking this business of being a disciple of Jesus is going to be a piece of cake, is going to be a story of ever increasing fame, miracles, and wonders, Mark gives a story of a good man being executed because of weakness, capriciousness, and vengence."
  • "Bad Girl of the Bible? Or Bad King?" Lia Scholl, The Hardest Question, 2012.
  • "Why do you think the writer defends Herod? And why would Salome or Herodias be blamed?"
  • Comentario del Evangelio por Richard Rojas Banuchi, Marcos 6:14-29, Working Preacher, 2012.
  • Commentary, Mark 6:14-29, Mark G. Vitalis Hoffman, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
    • "Our affirmation of and allegiance to the truth of the Gospel cannot be a hedge position. It's all or nothing, regardless of the consequences."
  • Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
    • "A contrast could be made between these two "sending out" events. Jesus sends his followers out to bring health and wholeness to life. Herod sends his *employees* out to destroy life."
  • "John the Baptist's End,"Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
  • "First Thoughts on Year B Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Pentecost 7, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "Mark?s readers may have made the connection between themselves and Herod?s wondering: can it be that someone so callously executed comes to life again? Is the risen Jesus to be seen where such powers are confronted anew, whether within us as individuals or among us in our society? Or does the entertainment drown out the voices?"
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • A Brief Commentary on the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 6:7 - 8:26, Carl W. Conrad. (Click superscript numbers for commentary.)
  • "Herod Executes John the Baptist," Michael A. Turton's Historical Commentary on the Gospel of Mark, "a complete verse-by-verse commentary on the Gospel of Mark, focusing on the historicity of people, places, events, and sayings in the world of the Gospel of Mark."
  • "Deceptive Simple, Deeply Subersive: John the Baptist, Politics and Religion," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2009.
    • "With his pronouncement and then martyrdom, John counsels us to turn away from anything and everything that might hinder ultimate allegiance to Jesus."
  • "Beheading of John the Baptist," Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
  • "Jesus as a Prophet," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Prophetic Ethics," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003.
  • Marginally Mark, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
  • "Mark 6," "John the Baptist," wikipedia.
  • John the Baptist, L. Michael White, John Dominic Crossan, Harold W. Attridge. From "A Portrait of Jesus' World," at the webpages accompanying the PBS Frontline special From Jesus to Christ.
  • "Murderous Mother, Ditto Daughter? Herodias and Salome at the Opera," Caroline Vander Stichele, Lectio Difficilior, 2001.
    • "When women started to scrutinize the Bible in search of strong women they could identify with, they did not immediately consider Herodias and her daughter."
  • Herod and the Dance of Salome, from And Adam Knew Eve: A Dictionary of Sex in the Bible by Ronald L. Ecker.
  • St John the Baptist, The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1916. Lengthy, excellent article.
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Adams, Joanna, "A Terrible Text," The Christian Century, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Aichele, George, "Two Theories for Translation with Examples from the Gospel of Mark," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1992.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Bach, Alice, "Calling the Shots: Directing Salome's Dance of Death," Semeia, 1996.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Baker, Kevin, "Capital T," The Christian Century, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Campbell, Charles L., "Speaking the Truth in Love," Journal for Preachers, 2005.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Delorme, Jean, "John the Baptist's Head -- The Word Perverted: A Reading of a Narrative (Mark 6:14-29)," Semeia, 1998.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Dewey, Joanna, "Women in the Gospel of Mark," Word & World, 2006. (Section on this text begins on page 24.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Gardner, A. Edward, "Bad News and Good News, Comparing the Narratives of the Death of John and the Anointing of Jesus in Mark," Encounter, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Heider, George C., "Living by the Word: Mark 6:14-29," The Christian Century, 2009.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • "Homiletical Helps," Concordia Journal, 2009. (Section on this text begins on page 201)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Horsley, Richard A., "'Like One of the Prophets of Old,': Two Types of Popular Prophets at the time of Jesus," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1985.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Janes, Regina, "Why the Daughter of Herodias Must Dance," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Kraemer, Ross S., "Implicating Herodias and Her Daughter in the Death of John the Baptizer: A (Christian) Theological Strategy," Journal of Biblical Literature, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Moloney, Francis, SDB, "Mark 6:6b-30: Mission, the Baptist, and Failure," Catholic Bible Quarterly, 2001.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Petersen, Norman R., "The Composition of Mark 4:1-8:26," Harvard Theological Review, 1980.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Rundin, John S., "Pozo Moro, Child Sacrifice, and the Greek Legendary Tradition," Journal of Biblical Literature, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Smith, Abraham, "Tyranny Exposed: Mark's Typological Characterization of Herod Antipas (Mark 6:14-29)," Biblical Interpretation, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Sweeney, James P., "Modern and Ancient Controversies over the Virgin Birth of Jesus," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2003. (Section on Mark 6:2-3 begins on page 148.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
  • Two Very Different Banquets, the Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad, Day1, 2009.
  • "Ministry on the Move," the Rev. Dr. Ozzie E. Smith, Day 1, 2006.
  • "The Blessed of the Lord," Pentecost 6, 16 July 2006, Hubert Beck, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • "Beheading of John the Baptist," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "Re-Membering Faith," the Rev. Dr. Catherine Taylor, Day 1, 2003.
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children, Proper 10B, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2012.
  • "One Thing Leads to Another!" Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
  • "Herod Beheads John the Baptist," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "Mark 5 & 6 Crossword," Don Crownover's Bible Puzzles.
• Drama:
  • "A Millstone," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
  • Clip Art: Beheading of John the Baptist, Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld woodcuts, World Mission Collection, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • Death of John the Baptist/Salome
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
• Literature and Literary References:
  • Salome, Oscar Wilde

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