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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:1-12

Herod ' s opinion of Jesus, and a parenthetical account of his murder of John the Baptist. Parallel passages: Mark 6:14-29 ; Luke 9:7-9 ; Luke 3:19 , Luke 3:20 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:1-12

The death of John the Baptist. I. HEROD THE TETRARCH . 1 . He heard of the fame of Jesus. Herod Antipas was a weak, cruel, voluptuous tyrant; he resembled his father in his vices, not in his capacity and energy of character. He heard of Christ's miracles; it seems strange if, as the words appear to imply, he now heard of Christ for the first time. For Christ had long been preaching in Galilee; about a year, perhaps more. Great multitudes had flocked to hear him; his mighty works... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:1-12

The ruin of reckless rashness. Note, in introduction, that in an historic point of view this stretch of verses, numbering twelve in our Gospel and seventeen in St. Mark's Gospel, is remarkable for the way in which it gives the information with which it is charged. The same way is identically followed in the parallel of St. Mark; and one not dissimilar in its leading feature in that of St. Luke. As regards the two former, the narrative, starting from tile fact that Herod is startled by the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:1-12

John's death. Herod Antipas is a character not quite easy to understand, but possibly on that account all the more worth understanding. Weak men are always difficult to understand, no principle you can calculate on guiding their conduct. Herod was not a bloody man like his father, but, like Ahab, his irresolution was used by the resolution of his wife. Before his doubly unlawful marriage much hope might have been entertained for him, with men like the apostles among his peasantry, not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:1-12

The morals of a tragedy. Here we have a tragedy in which the principal actors are, on the one side Jesus and John the Baptist, and on the other Herod, Herodias, and Salome. We propose to bring out some of its lessons. Learn, then— I. THAT THE HAUGHTIEST DESPOT IS HIMSELF RULED BY THE MEANEST THINGS . 1 . What is meaner than vile passion? 2 . What is meaner than the pander of vile passion? II. THAT THE DIVERSIONS OF THE WORLD ARE ... read more

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 14:8

And she, being before instructed; being put forward (Revised Version); προβιβασθεῖσα ( Acts 19:33 , Received Text; Deuteronomy 6:7 , LXX .). The word implies that the girl herself would not have thought of it, and perhaps that she had at first some little reluctance. But if so, it was soon over, for she came back "in haste" (Mark). Of her mother. St. Mark explains that she left the room to ask her mother. Said, Give me. This is the gift I want. Here . And evidently at... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:9

And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake; better, and though the king was grieved, yet for the sake of his oaths ( καὶ λυπηθεὶς ὁβασιλεὺς διὰ τὺος ὅρκους κ .τ.λ . ) . That he was grieved at John's death is a verbal contradiction to verse 5, but after some weeks' or months' delay psychologically quite possible (cf. note there). Kubel attributes the change to his conscience recoiling when his wish had a sudden chance of being accomplished; or it may be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:9

Vain regrets. "And the king was sorry." But no good came of his sorrow. It was too late. He had lost his opportunity. He had put his foot upon a slide, and down he had to go. Plumptre says, "It was the last struggle of conscience. In that moment there must have come before his mind his past reverence for the prophet, the joy which had for a time accompanied the strivings of a better life, possibly the counsels of his foster brother Manaen." Every man must have his regrets. Things done in all... read more

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