Mar 6:18 | TNotes | STEP | 6:18 Mark gives the moral-religious reason for the imprisonment and execution of John the Baptist. Josephus refers to the political reason (fear that John’s great popularity might start a revolution; Josephus, Antiquities 18.5.2). Similarly, the religious reasons for Jesus’ condemnation (Mark 14:63-64 ) became political when he was brought before Pontius Pilate (15:2 ; Luke 23:2-3 ). • It is against God’s law: Not only was the relationship adulterous (Lev 20:10 ), but it violated the further law against marrying a brother’s wife (Lev 18:16 ; 20:21 ).

bMark 14:63-64►

dLuke 23:2-3►

eLev 20:10►

fLev 18:16►

‏ Mark 6:18

6:18 ^a Mark gives the moral-religious reason for the imprisonment and execution of John the Baptist. Josephus refers to the political reason (fear that John’s great popularity might start a revolution; Josephus, Antiquities 18.5.2). Similarly, the religious reasons for Jesus’ condemnation (Mark 14:63-64 ^b) became political when he was brought before Pontius Pilate (15:2 ^c; Luke 23:2-3 ^d).

• It is against God’s law: Not only was the relationship adulterous (Lev 20:10 ^e), but it violated the further law against marrying a brother’s wife (Lev 18:16 ^f; 20:21 ^g).