Bible Commentary

When Jesus heard [of it,] he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard [thereof,] they followed him on foot out of the cities. 13 21. Jesus retires to a Desert Place, where He feeds Five Thousand Mar 6:31-44; Luk 9:10-17; Joh 6:5-14 This is the only miracle … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 14:13”

And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. 12. his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it ] There is in this some proof of forbearance, if not of kindness, on Herod’s part. He did not persecute John’s disciples, or prevent them paying … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 14:12”

And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought [it] to her mother. 11. brought it to her mother ] The revenge of Herodias recalls the story of Fulvia, who treated with great indignity the head of her murdered enemy Cicero, piercing the tongue once so eloquent against … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 14:11”

And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And he sent,…. “An executioner”, as in Mr 6:27 where the Latin word “speculator”, or as it is sometimes written “spiculator”, is used; and is the name of an officer concerned in executions, and particularly in beheading of persons; and so is used by Latin writers. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 14:10”

And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded [it] to be given [her.] 9. for the oaths’ sake ] “Because of the oaths; ” he had sworn repeatedly. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Verse 9. The king was sorry] He … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 14:9”

And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. 8. instructed ] Rather, impelled, instigated. a charger ] The original word = “a flat wooden trencher” on which meat was served. This appears to have been the meaning of the old English word “charger,” which is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 14:8”

Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. Whereupon he promised with an oath,…. On account of her fine dancing, and being extremely pleased with it himself; and the more, that it gave such pleasure to the whole court: he first promised her, to give her whatsoever she would ask; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 14:7”

But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. 6. the daughter of Herodias ] Salome; she was afterwards married to her uncle Herod-Philip, the tetrarch, and on his death to Aristobulus, grandson of Herod the Great. danced before them ] Some sort of pantomimic dance is meant. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 14:6”

And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. 5. when he would ] In modern language “although he was willing.” From St Mark we learn that Herodias was eager to kill John, while Herod, partly from fear of his prisoner, partly from interest … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 14:5”

For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. 4. It is not lawful for thee to have her ] St Luke adds, Mar 3:19, that Herod was also reproved “for all the evil which he had done.” “Boldly to rebuke vice” is fixed upon as the leading characteristic of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 14:4”