141 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 2 and said to his servants, This is John the baptist: he is risen from the dead, and because of this these works of power display their force in him. 3 For Herod had seized John, and had bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias the wife of Philip his brother. 4 For John said to him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. 5 And [while] desiring to kill him, he feared the crowd, because they held him for a prophet. 6 But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod; 7 whereupon he promised with oath to give her whatsoever she should ask. 8 But she, being set on by her mother, says, Give me here upon a dish the head of John the baptist. 9 And the king was grieved; but on account of the oaths, and those lying at table with [him], he commanded [it] to be given. 10 And he sent and beheaded John in the prison; 11 and his head was brought upon a dish, and was given to the damsel, and she carried [it] to her mother. 12 And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and came and brought word to Jesus.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 14:1-12
Commentary on Matthew 14:1-12
(Read Matthew 14:1-12)
The terror and reproach of conscience, which Herod, like other daring offenders, could not shake off, are proofs and warnings of a future judgment, and of future misery to them. But there may be the terror of convictions, where there is not the truth of conversion. When men pretend to favour the gospel, yet live in evil, we must not favour their self-delusion, but must deliver our consciences as John did. The world may call this rudeness and blind zeal. False professors, or timid Christians, may censure it as want of civility; but the most powerful enemies can go no further than the Lord sees good to permit. Herod feared that the putting of John to death might raise a rebellion among the people, which it did not; but he never feared it might stir up his own conscience against him, which it did. Men fear being hanged for what they do not fear being damned for. And times of carnal mirth and jollity are convenient times for carrying on bad designs against God's people. Herod would profusely reward a worthless dance, while imprisonment and death were the recompence of the man of God who sought the salvation of his soul. But there was real malice to John beneath his consent, or else Herod would have found ways to get clear of his promise. When the under shepherds are smitten, the sheep need not be scattered while they have the Great Shepherd to go to. And it is better to be drawn to Christ by want and loss, than not to come to him at all.