Charles Ellicott Commentary Mark 6:20

"for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was much perplexed; and he heard him gladly." — Mark 6:20 (ASV)

For Herod feared John.—The full description of Herod’s feelings towards the Baptist is peculiar to Saint 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 manuscripts give, he was much perplexed.