The king was consumed with sorrow, but because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her.
26. And the king being sorry. His heart, as we have said, was no longer influenced by religious sentiments; but, foreseeing the detestation that will be excited by such a crime, he dreads both the loss of character and positive harm, and consequently repents of his levity.
Here is, I. The wild notions that the people had concerning our Lord Jesus, Mar 6:15. His own countrymen could believe nothing great concerning him, because they knew his poor kindred; but others that were not under the power of that prejudice against him, were yet willing to believe any thing rather than the truth - that he was the Son of God, and the...
Commenting on Mark 6:14-29
And the king was exceeding sorry,.... See Gill on Mat 14:9. yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him; as Matthew adds, "at meat", Mat 14:9; for it seems as if supper was not over, when all this was transacting.