Bible Dictionaries

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Observe

OBSERVE . Mark 6:20 ‘Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him.’ The meaning of the Eng. word ‘observed’ is ‘reverenced.’ Tindale’s translation is ‘gave him reverence.’ Cf. Shaks. 2 Henry IV . iv. iv. 30, ‘he is gracious, if he be observed.’ But the more probable meaning of the Greek is ‘protected him,’ or, as RV [Note: Revised Version.] , ‘kept him safe.’