What Does Mark 6:20 Mean in the King James?
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.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Herod keeps John close and enjoys hearing him, yet the truth’s nearness does not dissolve his fear.
THE MEANING
You can recognize a voice as just and set apart, keep it near, and hear it gladly while fear remains active in the relationship. Herod does many things and listens willingly, yet the verse leaves his fear beside his admiration.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
If I can recognize the truth and enjoy hearing it, then fear has already lost its hold.
THE ROOT
συνετήρει
synetērei
GROWS FROM
τηρέω
tēreō
to keep, watch over, or guard
“observed” in this verse is synetērei. The Greek verb συνετήρει comes from συντηρέω, a form of keeping that can mean preserving or keeping in view. Herod’s attention is more than a passing notice: he keeps John within his regard, though nearness to the truth does not free him from fear.
ALSO GROWS
syntēreō: to preserve, keep safe, or keep in view
συντηρέω
This is the compound form behind the verb in the verse, holding together the senses of observing and preserving.
diatēreō: to preserve or maintain
διατηρέω
It shares the τηρέω stem and shows how the same keeping can mean sustained preservation.
epitēreō: to watch closely
ἐπιτηρέω
This related compound brings out the watchful edge of keeping someone in view.
ἤκουεν
ēkouen
GROWS FROM
ἀκούω
akouō
to hear, listen, or attend
“heard” in this verse is ēkouen. Mark says Herod hears John gladly, but hearing and heeding are not identical. The Greek family can extend into obedience, leaving a visible gap between enjoying a voice and fully responding to it.
ALSO GROWS
hypakouō: to heed or obey
ὑπακούω
This compound of ἀκούω shows hearing extended into response, a step the verse does not say Herod completes.
akoē: hearing or a report
ἀκοή
This noun shares the same root and keeps attention on the act of receiving what is said.
δίκαιον
dikaion
GROWS FROM
δικ-
dik-
rightness and justice; alignment with what is right
“just” in this verse is dikaion. The verse calls John aligned with what is right, not merely approved by Herod. Herod recognizes that alignment while his own fear remains present.
ALSO GROWS
dikē: justice or what is right
δίκη
This related word names the justice at the center of the family.
dikaiosynē: alignment, justice
δικαιοσύνη
It carries the family’s sense of right relation into a broader quality.
dikaioō: to justify or declare right
δικαιόω
This verb shows the same family applied to recognizing or declaring what is right.
THE PATTERN
Welcoming a truthful word does not by itself dissolve the fear that constrains its hearer.
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.But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.THE THREAD
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.Mark’s “observed” and Luke’s “kept” translate the same Greek verb, συνετήρει (synetērei), from συντηρέω (syntēreō), “to keep or preserve.” Mary keeps the words inwardly and ponders them; Herod keeps John in his attention, showing two different ways of holding close what is heard.
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