matthew-14:1-18-niv

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:4

For John said unto him ,.... John having heard of this incestuous marriage, went to Herod, and reproved him to his face for it; and, as Luke says, "for all the evils he had done", Luke 3:19 for he was a very wicked man, and guilty of many flagitious crimes: John, in so doing, showed his zeal for holiness, his hatred of sin, his courage and faithfulness in reproving thus freely so great a man; and made it manifest, that he came in the spirit of Elijah: what he said to him was, it is not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:5

And when he would have put him to death ,.... As soon as he apprehended him, and put him into prison; being provoked by his reproving him, and being stirred up by Herodias, who was greatly incensed and enraged, and would have killed him herself, but could not, being hindered by Herod: who, though he had a good will and strong inclination to take away his life, yet what with fearing the terror of his own conscience, and the reverence and respect he had for John, as a good man; and especially... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:6

But when Herod's birthday was kept ,.... The birthdays of princes, both of their coming into the world, and accession to the throne of government, were kept by the Gentiles; as by the Egyptians, Genesis 40:20 and by the F14 Herodot. l. 1. c. 133. & 9. c. 109. Persians, and Romans F15 Plin. Ep. 1. 10. ep. 61. , and other nations, but not by the Jews; who reckon these among the feasts of idolaters. "These (say they F16 Misn. Avoda Zara, c. 1. sect. 3. ) are the feasts... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:7

Whereupon he promised with an oath ,.... On account of her fine dancing, and being extremely pleased with it himself; and the more, that it gave such pleasure to the whole court: he first promised her, to give her whatsoever she would ask ; and then repeating it, he confirmed it with an oath; adding, as Mark says, that he would give it her, even "to the half of his kingdom": a way of speaking used by princes, when they give full power to persons to ask what they will of them; and to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:8

And she being before instructed of her mother ,.... What request to make; for as Mark says, "she went forth" to her mother immediately, as soon as she had received the king's promise, and took advice of her, what she should ask; who bid her ask for the head of John the Baptist; and accordingly she went in, "straightway with haste unto the king", as the same evangelist observes, to take him at his word, and whilst he was in the mood; being urged and hastened on by her mother, who was eager to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:9

And the king was sorry ,.... As he might be upon many accounts; partly on account of John, whom, notwithstanding his freedom in reproving him, he had a respect; and partly on his own account, his conscience dictating to him that it was an evil action, and would leave a brand of perpetual infamy upon him; as also on account of the people, who were so much affected to John, lest they should make an insurrection, and rebel against him; and likewise, because it was reckoned an ill omen with the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:10

And he sent ,.... "An executioner", as in Mark 6:27 where the Latin word "speculator", or as it is sometimes written "spiculator", is used; and is the name of an officer concerned in executions, and particularly in beheading of persons; and so is used by Latin writers. "In a civil war (says F24 De beneficiis, 1. 3. c. 25. Seneca), a servant hid his master that was proscribed; and when he had fitted his rings for himself, and put on his clothes, he met "speculatoribus", the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:11

By the executioner that cut it off, to Herod, whilst he and his guests were at table; by which it should seem, that the prison was very near; and it is not improbable, that it was the castle of Macheerus that Herod made this entertainment in: and given to the damsel ; the daughter of Herodias, who, by her mother's instigation, had asked it, and who received it out of the hands of Herod himself; or however, it was delivered to her by his orders: and she brought it to her mother ; who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:12

And his disciples came ,.... To the prison where his body was left, and to which they had liberty of recourse before; see Matthew 11:2 and very probably, upon hearing what was done, might apply to Herod, as Joseph of Arimathea did to Pilate, for the body of Jesus; who might, as he did, give them leave to take it: and took up the body and buried it . Theophylact says, his body was buried in Baste Caesarea, and that his head was first reposited in Emesesa. This was the last office of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:13

When Jesus heard of it ,.... Of the death of John, and of the cruel usage he had met with; and particularly, that his fame had reached the court of Herod, and that he was talked of there, and said by Herod himself to be John the Baptist, that was risen from the dead; he departed thence by ship, into a desert place apart ; to avoid Herod, though not through fear of death; but because his time was not yet come: which may teach us, that it is lawful to shun dangers, when there is an... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:13

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