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Immediately the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John`s head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
Verse Takeaways
1
The King's 'Speculator'
Commentators note that Mark uses the specific Latin word 'speculator' for the executioner. This wasn't just any soldier, but a member of Herod's personal bodyguard, who also served as a spy and courier. This detail highlights the swift, official, and grim nature of the command, carried out immediately by a trusted agent.
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Mark
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5
A soldier of his guard (σπεκουλατορα). Latin word speculator. A spy, scout, lookout, and often executioner. It was used of …
19th Century
Anglican
An executioner.—St. Mark uses a Latin word, speculator, a word which, originally meaning “watchman” or “sentinel,” had co…
Herod was in a quandary, but “because of his oaths and his dinner guests,” he could hardly refuse the girl. Reluctantly he ordered an executioner t…
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
And immediately the king sent an executioner (See Gill on Matthew 14:10)
and commanded h…
Presbyterian
Herod feared John while he lived, and feared him still more when he was dead. Herod did many of those things which John in his preaching taught him…
