Mark 6:18

ἔλεγεν γάρ. For John had said (A.V.) or “had been saying” (see on Mark 5:8), is here more accurate than “for John said” (R.V.). In Mark 6:17, R.V. agrees with A.V. in “for he had married her.” The English pluperf. is right in both cases.

Οὐκ ἔξεστιν. Leviticus 18:16 admitted of one exception—where the brother was dead and had left no son. Philip was still alive. It is not said that the divorce of the daughter of Aretas was a bar to the marriage with Herodias. Josephus says that Antipas imprisoned John because of his great influence; he might cause a revolution. That was the reason publicly given for putting John in prison, and Antipas perhaps really feared disturbance; he could not avow his private reason. John seems to have been leniently treated; he was allowed to receive visits (Matthew 11:2 f.; Luke 7:18 f.), and Antipas himself conversed with him (Mark 6:20). There is nothing to suggest that John had publicly denounced Antipas; rather that he had privately remonstrated with him. Aenon (John 3:23) was close to Tiberias, and John could easily visit Antipas. For ἔχειν = “marry” cf. Mark 12:23; 1 Corinthians 5:1.