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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:1-36

CHRIST 'S POWER TO SUPPLY AND PROTECT AND HEAL , PREFACED BY A STATEMENT OF HEROD 'S RELATION TO HIM . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:3-12

The murder of John the Baptist. This is introduced quite incidentally to account for the superstitious terror of Herod; but the story is so graphic that we seem to be carried into the midst of the scene of dissipation and crime. It is a hideous picture, and its chief lessons are of warning, and yet its gloom is not utterly unrelieved, for the portrait of the Baptist stands out in grand contrast to its vicious surroundings. I. THE PROPHET 'S FIDELITY . John the Baptist was a prophet... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:10-11

And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison, and his head was brought in a charger (verse 8, note), and given (the fourth time that the word "give" has come in five verses; the head of the herald of the kingdom becomes a royal gift) to the damsel —( τῷ κορασίῳ , verse 6, note)— and she brought it to her mother. But a few minutes after she had first spoken her request (verse 8, note). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 14:6-12

See also Mark 6:21-29. But when Herod’s birthday was come Kings were accustomed to observe the day of their birth with much pomp, and commonly, also, by giving a feast to their principal nobility. See Genesis 40:20. Mark adds that this birthday was kept by making a supper to his “lords, high captains, and chief estates in Galilee;” that is to the chief men in office. “High captains” means, in the original, commanders of thousands, or of a division of 1,000 people.The daughter of Herodias - That... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 14:10-11

Matthew 14:10-11. And he sent and beheaded John in the prison How mysterious is the providence of God, which left the life of so holy a man in such infamous hands! which permitted it to be sacrificed to the malice of an abandoned harlot, the petulancy of a vain girl, and the rashness of a foolish, perhaps drunken prince, who made a prophet’s head the reward of a dance! But we are sure the Almighty will repay his servants in another world, for whatever they suffer in this. And his head was... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:1-12

64. Death of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:7-9)By this time John the Baptist had been executed. When Herod heard the news of Jesus’ miracles, he feared that Jesus was really John come back to life and that supernatural powers were working in him (Matthew 14:1-2; Mark 6:14-16). (The Herod referred to here was Herod Antipas, a son of Herod the Great; see earlier section, ‘The New Testament World’.)Having mentioned John’s death, the writers go back to record the events... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 14:11

Matthew 14:11. And his head was brought in a charger— The head of the prophet, whose rebukes had awed the king in his loosest moments, and whose exhortations had often excited him to virtuous actions, was immediately brought pale and bloody in a charger, and given to the daughter of Herodias, in presence of the guests; which proves that the prison in which they confined the Baptist was at hand, in Tiberias, where Herod kept his court, and not in Machoerus Castle, as the interpolater of Josephus... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 14:1-12

The opposition of Herod and his friends 14:1-12 (cf. Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:7-9) read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 14:9-11

Antipas was wrong to give his oath, which he evidently repeated more than once (Matthew 14:7), and he was wrong to keep it. He feared losing face with his guests. The Romans practiced decapitation. That form of execution was not Jewish. Likewise the Romans executed certain prisoners without a trial whereas Jewish law required one. [Note: Ibid., p. 339.] The gore of this scene testifies to the hardhearted condition of the Roman royal family and their courtiers. As the last of the Old Testament... read more

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