Bible Dictionaries
Executioner

Holman Bible Dictionary

One who puts another to death, especially as a legal penalty. The KJV uses the term only once (Mark 6:27 for the one beheading John the Baptist). Some modern translations prefer a more generic term such as “soldier of the guard” (NRSV, REB) or simply “guard” (TEV). The Old Testament law does not know the role of the representative executioner who acts on behalf of the society. Where “official” executioners are mentioned, they are portrayed as the agents of despotic rulers ( Daniel 2:14 ,Daniel 2:14,2:24; Mark 6:27 ). The execution of Jesus is the chief example of such an abuse of power. See Capital Punishment .