matthew-14:1-18-niv

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:6

Herod's birth-day - Either the day in which he was born, or the day on which he began to reign; for both were termed birth-days. See 1 Samuel 13:1 , and Hosea 7:5 . The kings of Persia were accustomed to reject no petition that was preferred to them during the entertainment. See Herodotus in Calliope, and Esther 5:3 . The daughter - danced - This was Salome, mentioned before. Danced: by a literal rendering of the saltavit of the Vulgate, in my old MS. of the English Bible, the... read more

Adam Clarke

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

Adam Clarke

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:11

His head was given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother - There is no person so revengeful as a lascivious woman when reproved and blamed. A preacher of the Gospel has most to fear from this quarter: - the first of this profession lost his life for the sake of truth and chastity; and others, especially those who have any thing to do with men in power who are profligates, may learn what they are to expect in return for a faithful discharge of their duty. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:12

His disciples came, and took up the Body - The Head was in the possession of Herodias, who, 'tis probable, took a diabolic pleasure in viewing that speechless mouth which had often been the cause of planting thorns in her criminal bed; and in offering indignities to that tongue from which she could no longer dread a reproof. Her character justifies every bad conjecture that can well be formed on this head: and St. Jerome positively says that, when she got it, she drew out the tongue, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:13

When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence - Had the blessed Jesus continued in that place, it is probable the hand of this impure female murderer would have been stretched out against him also: he withdrew, therefore, not through fear, but to teach his messengers rather to yield to the storm than expose themselves to destruction, where, from circumstances, the case is evidently hopeless. The people - followed him on foot - πεζη , or, by land, which is a common acceptation of the word... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:14

Jesus - was moved with compassion - Εσπλαγχνισθε , he was moved with tender compassion, so I think the word should in general be translated: see the note on Matthew 9:36 . As a verb, it does not appear to have been used by any but ecclesiastical writers. It always intimates that motion of the bowels, accompanied with extreme tenderness and concern, which is felt at the sight of the miseries of another. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:15

Send the multitude away, that they may go - and buy - The disciples of Christ are solicitous for the people's temporal as well a spiritual welfare: and he is not worthy to be called a minister of Christ, who dues not endeavor to promote both to the uttermost of his power. The preaching of Christ must have been accompanied with uncommon power to these people's souls, to have induced them to leave their homes to follow him from village to village, for they could never hear enough; and to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:16

They need not depart - He that seeks first the kingdom of heaven is sure to have every temporal requisite. When a man ensures the first, God always takes care to throw the other into the bargain. He who has an interest in Jesus has in him an inexhaustible treasure of spiritual and temporal good. Though the means by which man may help his fellows have failed, we are not to suppose that the bounty of God is exhausted. When we are about to give up all hope of farther supply, the gracious word... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:17

We have here but five loaves and two fishes - When we are deeply conscious of our own necessities, we shall be led to depend on Jesus with a firmer faith. God often permits his servants to be brought low, that they may have repeated opportunities of proving the kindness and mercy of their gracious Lord and Master. read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:17

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