Mark 6:21

King James Version

And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
An opportune time came on his birthday, when Herod gave a banquet for his nobles, military commanders, and the leading men of Galilee.

King James Version (1611)
And when a conuenient day was come, that Herod on his birth day made a supper to his lords, high captaines, and chiefe estates of Galilee:

English Standard Version
But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.

New American Standard Bible
An opportune day came when Herod, on his birthday, held a banquet for his nobles and military commanders, and the leading people of Galilee;

New Century Version
Then the perfect time came for Herodias to cause John's death. On Herod's birthday, he gave a dinner party for the most important government leaders, the commanders of his army, and the most important people in Galilee.

Amplified Bible
But an opportune time [finally] came [for Herodias]. Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his officials (nobles, courtiers) and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
A strategic day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his lords and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee;

Legacy Standard Bible
And a strategic day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his great men and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee;

Berean Standard Bible
On Herod's birthday, her opportunity arose. Herod held a banquet for his nobles and military commanders, as well as the leading men of Galilee.

Contemporary English Version
Finally, Herodias got her chance when Herod gave a great birthday celebration for himself and invited his officials, his army officers, and the leaders of Galilee.

Complete Jewish Bible
Finally, the opportunity came. Herod gave a banquet on his birthday for his nobles and officers and the leading men of the Galil.

Darby Translation
And a holiday being come, when Herod, on his birthday, made a supper to his grandees, and to the chiliarchs, and the chief [men] of Galilee;

Easy-to-Read Version
Then the right time came for Herodias to cause John's death. It happened on Herod's birthday. Herod gave a dinner party for the most important government leaders, the commanders of his army, and the most important people in Galilee.

Geneva Bible (1587)
But the time being conuenient, when Herod on his birth day made a banket to his princes and captaines, and chiefe estates of Galile:

George Lamsa Translation
Then came a state day, when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet to his officials, and captains, and the leading men of Galilee.

Good News Translation
Finally Herodias got her chance. It was on Herod's birthday, when he gave a feast for all the top government officials, the military chiefs, and the leading citizens of Galilee.

Lexham English Bible
And a suitable day came when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers and military tribunes and the most prominent men of Galilee.

Literal Translation
And a suitable day having come, when Herod made a dinner for his great ones on his birthday, also the chiliarchs, and the first ones of Galilee.

American Standard Version
And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee;

Bible in Basic English
And the chance came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast to his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee;

Hebrew Names Version
When a convenient day had come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper for his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of the Galil;

International Standard Version
An opportunity came during Herod's birthday celebration, when he gave a banquet for his top officials, military officers, and the most important people of Galilee.Genesis 40:20; Matthew 14:6;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
And there was a notable day when Herodes, in the house of his nativity, (b'beth yaldeh,) made a feast to his chiefs and kiliarchs [fn] and the heads of Galila;

Murdock Translation
And there was a noted day, when Herod made a supper, in the house of his nativity, for his nobles and the chiliarchs and the chiefs of Galilee.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And whe a conuenient day was come, that Herode on his birth daye made a supper to the lordes, hye captaynes, and chiefe estates of Galilee.

English Revised Version
And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee;

World English Bible
When a convenient day had come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper for his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee;

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And a convenient day being come, when Herod on his birth-day made a feast, for his lords, captains, and principal men of Galilee:

Weymouth's New Testament
At length Herodias found her opportunity. Herod on his birthday gave a banquet to the nobles of his court and to the tribunes and the principal people in Galilee,

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And whanne a couenable dai was fallun, Eroude in his birthdai made a soper to the princis, and tribunes, and to the grettest of Galilee.

Update Bible Version
And when a convenient day came, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the generals, and the chief men of Galilee;

Webster's Bible Translation
And when a convenient day had come, that Herod on his birth-day made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief [men] of Galilee;

New English Translation
But a suitable day came, when Herod gave a banquet on his birthday for his court officials, military commanders, and leaders of Galilee.

New King James Version
Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.

New Living Translation
Herodias's chance finally came on Herod's birthday. He gave a party for his high government officials, army officers, and the leading citizens of Galilee.

New Life Bible
Then Herodias found a way to have John killed. Herod gave a big supper on his birthday. He asked the leaders of the country and army captains and the leaders of Galilee to come.

New Revised Standard
But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, an opportune day arriving, when Herod on his birthday made a feast for his nobles, and for the rulers of thousands and for the first men of Galilee,

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when a convenient day was come, Herod made a supper for his birthday, for the princes, and tribunes, and chief men of Galilee.

Revised Standard Version
But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
But when a couenient daye was come: Herode on his birth daye made a supper to ye lordes captayns and chefe estates of Galile.

Young's Literal Translation
And a seasonable day having come, when Herod on his birthday was making a supper to his great men, and to the chiefs of thousands, and to the first men of Galilee,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And there came a conuenient daye, that Herode on his byrth daye made a supper to the lordes, captaynes and chefe estates of Galile.

Mace New Testament (1729)
however, a favourable opportunity happen'd for her, upon Herod's making an entertainment the birth-night, for all the great officers of the court, and army, and persons of the first distinction in Galilee.

THE MESSAGE
But a portentous day arrived when Herod threw a birthday party, inviting all the brass and bluebloods in Galilee. Herodias's daughter entered the banquet hall and danced for the guests. She dazzled Herod and the guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me anything. I'll give you anything you want." Carried away, he kept on, "I swear, I'll split my kingdom with you if you say so!" She went back to her mother and said, "What should I ask for?" "Ask for the head of John the Baptizer." Excited, she ran back to the king and said, "I want the head of John the Baptizer served up on a platter. And I want it now!" That sobered the king up fast. But unwilling to lose face with his guests, he caved in and let her have her wish. The king sent the executioner off to the prison with orders to bring back John's head. He went, cut off John's head, brought it back on a platter, and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother. When John's disciples heard about this, they came and got the body and gave it a decent burial. The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, "Come off by yourselves; let's take a break and get a little rest." For there was constant coming and going. They didn't even have time to eat. So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them. When his disciples thought this had gone on long enough—it was now quite late in the day—they interrupted: "We are a long way out in the country, and it's very late. Pronounce a benediction and send these folks off so they can get some supper." Jesus said, "You do it. Fix supper for them." They replied, "Are you serious? You want us to go spend a fortune on food for their supper?" But he was quite serious. "How many loaves of bread do you have? Take an inventory." That didn't take long. "Five," they said, "plus two fish." Jesus got them all to sit down in groups of fifty or a hundred—they looked like a patchwork quilt of wildflowers spread out on the green grass! He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples in turn gave it to the people. He did the same with the fish. They all ate their fill. The disciples gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. More than five thousand were at the supper. As soon as the meal was finished, Jesus insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead across to Bethsaida while he dismissed the congregation. After sending them off, he climbed a mountain to pray. Late at night, the boat was far out at sea; Jesus was still by himself on land. He could see his men struggling with the oars, the wind having come up against them. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. He intended to go right by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and screamed, scared out of their wits. Jesus was quick to comfort them: "Courage! It's me. Don't be afraid." As soon as he climbed into the boat, the wind died down. They were stunned, shaking their heads, wondering what was going on. They didn't understand what he had done at the supper. None of this had yet penetrated their hearts. They beached the boat at Gennesaret and tied up at the landing. As soon as they got out of the boat, word got around fast. People ran this way and that, bringing their sick on stretchers to where they heard he was. Wherever he went, village or town or country crossroads, they brought their sick to the marketplace and begged him to let them touch the edge of his coat—that's all. And whoever touched him became well.

Simplified Cowboy Version
So on Herod's birthday, he threw himself a party and all the important people in his kingdom came to it.

Contextual Overview

¹⁴ And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. ¹⁵ Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. ¹⁶ But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead. ¹⁷ For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. ¹⁸ For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. ¹⁹ Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: ²⁰ 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. ²¹ And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; ²² And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. ²³ And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

when: Genesis 27:41, 2 Samuel 13:23-29, Esther 3:7, Psalms 37:12, Psalms 37:13, Acts 12:2-4

his birthday: Genesis 40:20, Esther 1:3-7, Esther 2:18, Proverbs 31:4, Proverbs 31:5, Daniel 5:1-4, Hosea 7:5, 1 Peter 4:3, Revelation 11:10

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 3:15 - a feast Esther 1:11 - Vashti Ecclesiastes 7:4 - the heart Matthew 14:6 - birthday 1 Corinthians 16:12 - when

Cross-References

Job 38:41
Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

Job 40:20
Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.

Psalms 35:6
Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the Lord persecute them.

Psalms 136:25
Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 145:16
Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

Psalms 147:9
He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.

Matthew 6:26
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And when a convenient day was come,.... For Herodias; who had long sought and watched for an opportunity of avenging herself on John, and such a time Herod's birthday proved; though some think, that this phrase is the same with יום טוב, "a good day"; often used by the Jews for a festival, any one of their feast days; there is a tract in their Misna which bears this name; and that such a day was this. But not one of the festivals of the Jews was this, as either their passover, or pentecost, or feast of tabernacles, which Herod had no regard to; but his own birthday, which he kept as a festival, in eating, and drinking, and dancing; and so was a very opportune and seasonable time for Herodias to take the advantage of Herod when in a good humour, amidst his company, and in his cups, to solicit that, which she had often done without success: and so it was now,

that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee: this birthday, was either the day of his natural, or civil birth; the day when he was born into the world, or of his accession to the throne;

:-, when he made a grand entertainment in the evening for his nobles, and the officers of the army, the captains of thousands, and the principal men, those of the first rank and quality in Galilee, of which he was Tetrarch.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 21. Lords — μεγιστασιν, probably governors of particular districts.

High captains — χιλιαρχοις; literally, chiefs or captains over a thousand men, military chiefs.

Chief estates — πρωτοις; probably such as might be called nobles by title only, having no office civil or military; probably magistrates. See KYPKE an the place.