Matthew 14:1

MATT. 14

THE MARTYRDOM OF JOHN THE BAPTIST; THE WITHDRAWAL OF CHRIST TO BETHSAIDA; THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND; WALKING ON THE SEA; HEALING THE MULTITUDES

At that season Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus, and said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore do these powers work in him. (Matthew 14:1-2)

This Herod was a son of Herod the Great by the second Mariamne, daughter of Simon. He had inherited the tetrarchy of Galilee of Perea. On a visit to Rome, he was enamored by Herodias, his niece, who was the wife of his half-brother, Herod Philip II, who at that time were private citizens in Rome. Herod seduced her, divorced his own wife, married her, and made her his queen. Herod's comment concerning John, recorded in these two verses, was made in the aftermath of John's murder, which is detailed in this chapter. His remarks pointed up his guilt and also the conviction he held that John was indeed a righteous man.