What does Mark 6:29 mean?

The populist rebellion Antipas had feared never arrives. John has already transferred his disciples' loyalty to Jesus (Matthew 11:2–6). His message will spread to Ephesus and beyond (Acts 19:1–7). He has completed the work God sent him to do (Mark 1:2–4). His death is the end of the Old Testament-era prophets.

Like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (John 19:38–42), John's disciples take away their master's body and bury it respectfully. In Israel and all the Near East, proper burial is very important. "May you be unburied" is a curse and one of the punishments the Israelites would have to face if they broke the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 28:26). The first property the Israelites owned in the Promised Land is a burial cave purchased by Abraham (Genesis 23). In 2 Samuel 21:1–14, David avenges the Gibeonites by allowing them to execute the sons of Saul and leave their bodies unburied. After this, the mother of two of the sons stays with the corpses, protecting them from scavenger birds, until David retrieves them and gives them a proper burial. God takes vengeance on Jezebel for mistreating His prophets. In between the time of her death and her intended burial, dogs take all of her except her skull, feet, and the palms of her hands (2 Kings 9:30–37).

We also wish to be honored at death. We hope that we have made a positive impact on the world, enough that our loss is mourned and our life is celebrated. Even more honoring is to hear God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23). John, who persevered to the end (Matthew 24:45–46), spreading God's words even in prison, surely hears God say this as his disciples mourn over his body.