Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:9
The king was sorry - He knew John to be a righteous man, and at first did many things gladly which John told him it was his duty to perform: Mark 6:20 . Nevertheless, for the oath's sake - The Oaths, ορκους - he had probably sworn again and again - one sin begets many. And them which sat with him at meat - Who were probably such as himself, and would have considered it a breach of honor if he had not fulfilled his sworn promise: he therefore commanded it to be given! read more
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:8
Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger - The word charger formerly signified a large dish, bowl, or drinking cup: the Saxon has a dish , Tindal, a platter ; any thing is better than charger, which never conveyed much meaning, and now conveys none. The evangelist says she was instructed before, by her mother, to ask the Baptist's head! What a most infernal mother, to give such instructions to her child! and what a promising daughter to receive them! What a present for a young lady!... read more