For Herod himself had sent forth ,.... Some of his guard, a detachment of soldiers, and laid hold upon John ; who seized upon him, and took him up: and bound him in prison ; in the castle of Machaerus: for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife, for he had married her ; whilst his brother was living, and who had had children by her; See Gill on Matthew 14:3 . read more
For John had said unto Herod ,.... He had been personally with him, and had plainly and freely told him of his sin, and faithfully reproved him for it; alleging what he had done was contrary to the law of God: it is not lawful, for thee to have thy brother's wife : See Gill on Matthew 14:4 . read more
Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him ,.... Was angry with him, conceived wrath, and laid up hatred against him, and was an adversary to him; which is the sense of the Oriental versions. She bore him an inward grudge, and lay in wait to take the first opportunity of dispatching him: and would have killed him, but she could not ; being hindered by Herod, who as yet would not suffer it; partly through fear of the people, and partly through the respect he had for John. read more
For Herod feared John ,.... Had him in great respect; he had a great veneration for him; which was the reason that Herodias could not as yet accomplish her design against him, and vent her rage upon him. Though some understand this not of his reverence, but of his dread of him: he knew as follows, that he was a man exemplary for justice and holiness, which gained him great esteem among the people; wherefore, though Herod, as well as Herodias, could very willingly have put him to death, yet,... read more
And when a convenient day was come ,.... For Herodias; who had long sought and watched for an opportunity of avenging herself on John, and such a time Herod's birthday proved; though some think, that this phrase is the same with יום טוב , "a good day"; often used by the Jews for a festival, any one of their feast days; there is a tract in their Misna which bears this name; and that such a day was this. But not one of the festivals of the Jews was this, as either their passover, or... read more
And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in ,.... To the hall, where Herod and his guests were, after supper was over; or rather, whilst at it: she is called the daughter of Herodias, and not of Herod; she having had her not by him, but by his brother Philip: her name is thought to be Salome; See Gill on Matthew 14:6 , and danced and pleased Herod, and them that were with him ; at supper, his lords, captains, and principal men in his dominions; See Gill on Matthew 14:6 . ... read more
And he sware unto her ,.... He added an oath to what he had before said, the more to confirm it, and to encourage her in her request, and which he repeated in stronger language: whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom ; See Gill on Matthew 14:7 . read more
And she went forth and said unto her mother ,.... The king having made such a promise to her, and annexed his oath to it, she thought proper before she asked any thing of him, to withdraw from the hall and company, and consider with herself, and consult with her mother, who was not at the entertainment; it being not usual in those eastern countries, for women to sit at table, at any grand festival: to whom she reported the offer the king had made, and desired she would be pleased to direct... read more
And she came in straightway with haste unto the, king ,.... Having had her mother's advice, and being hastened by her, she immediately returned to the hall, where the king and his guests were, with much Concern, eagerness, and diligence: and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger, the head of John the Baptist : her petition proceeding upon a promise with an oath, is presented by way of demand; insisting upon it, that in a very little time, "this hour", as the... read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 6:16
But when Herod heard thereof ,.... Either of Christ, or rather of the different opinions about him, he said, it is John, whom I have beheaded : the thought stuck close to him, and continued with him; he could not get rid of it, nor persuade himself to the contrary; nor could any of his servants get him off of it, but he affirmed it with the greatest assurance imaginable. These different sentiments of the people concerning Jesus, greatly perplexed the mind of Herod, as appears from Luke... read more