141 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus , 2 and said to his servants , " This is John the Baptist ; he has risen from the dead , and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him." 3 For when Herod had John arrested , he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias , the wife of his brother Philip . 4 For John had been saying to him, " It is not lawful for you to have her." 5 Although Herod wanted to put him to death , he feared the crowd , because they regarded John as a prophet . 6 But when Herod's birthday came , the daughter of Herodias danced before e them and pleased Herod , 7 so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever e she asked . 8 Having been prompted by her mother , she said , "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist ." 9 Although he was grieved , the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths , and because of his dinner guests . 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison . 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl , and she brought it to her mother .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 14:1-11
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.