For John said unto him, It is not lawful ( οὐκ ἔξεστιν , Matthew 12:2 ) for thee to have her. Herod Philip being still alive. Bengel remarks, "Causas matrimoniales non possunt plane abdicare theologi." Was he thinking of Luther's unfortunate advice to Philip of Hesse? read more
John's rugged faithfulness. How John came into contact with Herod, or how he was called to administer such a public reproof, we are not informed. It is quite possible that, in the Divine inspiration, he had done somewhat as Elijah had done before him—suddenly appeared at court,—a strange weird figure before which the soldiers shrank back,—marched straight into the presence of Herod, and with no preamble or apology, declared, "It is not lawful for thee to have her." It is, however, quite... read more
And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude (cf. Luke 20:6 ). Mark has, "And Herodias set herself against him, and would have put him to death ; and she could not; for Herod feared John." The more detailed account in Mark is doubtless the more exact. Perhaps the facts of the case were that, in the first heat of his resentment, Herod wished to kill John, but feared the anger of the people, and that afterwards, when he him in his power and Herodias still urged... read more
But when Herod's birthday was kept; came (Revised Version); γενεσίοις δὲ γενομένοις τοῦ ἡρῴδου , dative of time (Winer, § 31:9), with the addition of a participle. Birthday. So "Pharaoh's birthday" ( Genesis 40:20 , ἡμέρα γενέσεως ) . Thayer's Grimm refers to "Alciphr. Epp. 3, 18, and 55; Dio Cass., 47, 18, etc.," for γενέσια being used in the same sense. The Talmudic איסיניג (see Levy, s.v. ) apparently represents the same word, and (preceded by מוי )... read more
Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. read more
The foolishness of unlimited promises. "He promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask." We are sometimes invited to promise before we are told what is to be asked. It should never be done. No man can tell whether it is right to promise until he knows what is to be promised. In the case now before us, we find a man excited with wine and company, and not really himself. It is necessary to realize the gay but degrading scene, and the skilfulness of the wicked scheme carried... read more
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
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
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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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