Matthew 14
DODDMatthew 14:1
Jesus, and suspects him to be John the Baptist, only murdered in a manner which is here recounted. 2, 6—12. Mark VI. 14—29. Luke IX.
MAT. XIV. 1.
NOW at that time, while the apostles were making their circuit about the country, proclaiming every where the glories of their great Master, and working miracles in his name, king Herod (as the tetrarch we mentioned above was generally called) heard of the fame of Jesus, [and] was informed by many of all the marvellous things that were done by him and his apostles; for, by the account they gave concerning him in their mission, concurring with his own miracles and preaching, his name was every where spread abroad, and had reached many places far more distant than the court of Herod.
And immediately his own guilty conscience suggested a fear which he could not forbear disclosing to those that were about him; and such was his surprise and terror, that he said even to his own servants, This is John the Baptist, whom I put to death; he is undoubtedly risen from the dead, and for this reason he appears with greater honour than ever, and these extraordinary
a At that time.] Both Mark and Luke so expressly connect this with the preceding section, that there can be no room to doubt that this is its true place.
b The tetrarch we mentioned above.] Though he was called tetrarch for a particular reason, as heir to only a fourth part of his father’s dominions; yet in this district (which was that of Galilee) he was properly a king. See note on Mat. ii. 22, sect. xiii. and Luke iii. 1. sect. xv.
c More distant than the court of Herod.] The letters pretended to have passed be-
tween Christ and Abgarus, king of Edessa, and preserved by Eusebius (Hist. Eccles. lib. 1, cap. 13,) are probably spurious; though Dr. Cave, the learned Dr. Grabe (Spicileg. Vol. I. p. 1—6,) and the celebrated Mr. Addison (in his Discourse on Christianity, sect. 1,) seem inclined to receive them. They might however have their foundation in some message from that prince to Jesus. But the remark in the paraphrase is much more certainly confirmed by Mat. iv. 24, 25, sect. xxxvi.
He fears him to be John the Baptist risen ron
powers now operate in him, though before he wrought no miracles.
And notwithstanding Herod had imbibed the principles of the Sadducees,ᵈ which were directly opposite to such a supposition, he was exceedingly anxiousᵉ on account of the reports he heard; for the notion was not merely his own, but it was said too by some others, that John was risen from the dead, and would undoubtedly use his miraculous power to punish those who had murdered him. And it was also conjectured by some that Elijah had appeared, according to the general expectation, as the forerunner of the Messiah (compare Mal. iv. 5; Mat. xi. 14; and xvii. 10—12;) and by others, that one of the ancient prophets was risen again from the dead: and others also said, It is certainly a prophet of the former generations, or [a person] at least like one of the prophets,ᶠ for such miraculous works do as evidently speak a Divine mission as any of theirs ever did. But in the midst of this variety of opinions, when Herod heard what was discoursed [of Jesus] he was exceedingly distressed, and said with great anxiety, John I have certainly beheaded, and received the strongest proofs that the execution was performed; but who is this, of whom I hear such things? I would not willingly believe it, yet I cannot but suspect that whatsoever be the name he now assumes, it is John, that venerable holy man whom I beheaded, and greatly fear he is risen from the dead. And he was so uneasy under the consciousness of the enormous crime he had committed in putting him to death, that licentious as his principles and character were,ᵍ he was alarmed and
ᵈ Herod had imbibed the principles of the Sadducees.] See note ᵉ below
ᵉ He was exceedingly anxious.] Διεσπευτε strongly expresses a mixture of doubt and ear, which must necessarily throw the mind into a very uneasy situation.
ᶠ A prophet, or a person at least like one of the prophets.] This plainly proves that by the word prophet they generally meant one of the holy men whom God had raised up to his people in former ages; and if the particle ⁿ be omitted, as it is in some manuscripts, the argument is equally conclusive. See note ᶜ sect. 1.
ᵍ Licentious as his principles and character were.] Josephus tells us that the Sadducean principles prevailed much among the rich and great: (Antiq. lib. xviii. cap. 1, (al. 2) § 4.) And it is very probable Herod was of this sect, as what is called in one text the leaven of the Sadducees, is in another called the leaven of Herod (compar. Mat. xvi. 6, with Mark viii. 15;) not to mention a kind of hereditary quarrel which there seems to have been between the Herodian family and the Pharisees. (See note ᶜ on Mark iii. 6, sect. 1.) But it is no easy
The occasion of the Baptist’s death.
terrified with the apprehension of his being actually returned to life; and, not knowing what to think of the reports he heard of Jesus, he earnestly desired to see him, that his doubts might be removed.
Thus was his guilty mind perplexed and tormented, and not without reason; for, as we have before observed.h Herod had formerly seized John and bound him with chains in prison, on account of the reproof he gave him for his marrying Herodias; Because, as Herod had seduced her from his brother Philip, who was still living and had a daughter by her, John had said to him, with a freedom that he could not bear, It is not lawful for thee thus to have thy brother’s wife. And we had likewise added, that for this reason Herodias also was incensed against him, and would have put him to death; but for a long time she could not compass her design: For Herod had so great a reverence for John, that he would not yield to her solicitations. But we must now inform the reader, that before this time she had found a way of accomplishing her cruel purpose.
For as her heart was filled with malice, and she was ever watching for an opportunity to be revenged on John, at length a convenient day happened of preferring her petition with unexpected circumstances of advantage: a public festival was kept, when Herod on his birthday made a splendid supper for the entertainment of his lords, and of all the chief officers of his army,k and other persons of distinguished rank
cadybelief of so great mortality of the soul, and after death and a nation, and other evinual religion connected force themselves upon it, and wring it with not always, though it real. This is admirably Attbury in his subject.
re observed.] I have here a few clauses of seemed to me absorb produce the following beheading John the are before inserted i. p. 164, 165.
i When Herod on his birthday.] great critics, and particularly G. Heinsius, and Reland, choose to int this, of the day of Herod’s accession, than his birth, which they think have been more properly express 7 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1
k Chief officers of his army.] The word 7 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1
Herod’s rash oath to the daughter of Her
in Galilee, over which he presided: And, to grace the solemnity, Salome, the daughter of the abovementioned Herodias by Philip her former husband, a young lady of celebrated beauty, coming in publicly among them, and dancing in the midst of the assembly; this instance of condescension, so unusual in those days and countries, especially in persons of such high dignity,¹ was so exceedingly agreeable and pleasing unto Herod and his guests, that the king said before them all to the maiden in a kind of transport, Ask of me whatever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And when she seemed surprised at such a declaration, to encourage her to depend on what he said, he promised her with the solemnity of an oath, [and] profanely and foolishly sware unto her more than once,ᵐ I will give thee whatsoever thou wilt ask of me, even though it should be to the [value of] half of my kingdom.
And, young as she was, she perceived this was now grown a circumstance of high importance, and might be managed to considerable advantage; she therefore went out, and said to her mother, who was not in the assembly, What shall I ask? And she, struck with this unexpected opportunity of executing her revenge, eagerly replied, Ask the head of John the Baptist, who would have expelled and ruined us both; for nothing in the power of the king to grant could give me equal satisfaction.
And, though at first she hesitated at so shocking a proposal, yet being thus before urged to it by her mother, and at length confirmed in the resolution,ᵒ she immediately, after a very short
¹ This instance of condescension, so unusual in those days, &c.] Dr. Lardner very justly observes that it was very unusual for ladies of a high rank to appear before the men (Esth. i. 10—12,) and much less to dance at such banquets as these. See his Credibility of the Gospel History, part i. Vol. I. p. 23.
ᵐ Sware unto her more than once.] This may be very well concluded, because both the evangelists, use the plural opæc. Mat. xiv. 9, and Mark vi. 26.
ᵒ Being before urged to it by her mother, and at length confirmed in the resolution.] So the word ἀρ. ἐκέδωσε seems to intimate, as Beza, with his usual accuracy,
has observed; and there is indeed much more reason to wonder that she was induced to make such a request at all, than that she made some difficulty for a while of presenting it, considering how savage it seemed, and how many pleasing views must be sacrificed to it. But at last her mother’s remonstrances seemed to have wrought her up to great emotion, which the evangelist well expresses by saying, She came in σῶμα μίλα σπεδάκ immediately, and with eagerness. The whole narration of Mark, which is by far the most circumstantial, is very much animated; as Mr. Blackwall has justly observed in his Sacred Classics, Vol. I. p. 383.
he head o John the Baptist, and o tains it.
absence, came unto the king with speed in her motion and eagerness in her countenance, and made her demand, saying, I desire that, in accomplishment of thy promise, thou wouldest give me, presently, the head of John the Baptist; and that I may be sure the execution is done, let the head be brought and delivered to me here in a charger, or large dish.⁶
And the king was exceedingly sorry, as well as greatly surprised, that she should prefer so strange a petition; nevertheless, as she persisted in it, for the sake of his repeated oaths, and out of regard to his guests, in whose presence they were made, he would not deny her, [but] granted what she asked, and ordered that it should be given her.
And immediately the king sent one of his guards,⁷ as an executioner, that very night, and commanded his head to be brought into the assembly: and, as soon as the soldier had received his orders, he presently went, and without any further warning, beheaded John in the prison. And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the maiden; and the maiden, forgetting the tenderness of her sex,⁸ and the dignity of her rank, with a steady cruelty, agreeable to her relation to so ill a woman, brought [and] delivered it to her mother with her own hands. And thus, till the righteous judgment of God overtook them all,⁹ they gratified themselves
⁶ The head of John the Baptist in a charger.] It is well known that it was and is customary with princes in those eastern parts to require the head of those they order to be executed to be brought to them, that they may be assured of their death. The Grand Signior does it to this day. See Dr. Lardner, in the place cited in note 1, p. 44, 45. The word [and] signifies a large dish, which the antiquated word charger well expresses; for which reason I chose to retain it.
⁷ One of his guards.] So [and] properly signifies, or one who was then standing centre. There were no executioners in those times whose peculiar business it was to put persons to death.
⁸ Forgetting the tenderness of her sex.] This may perhaps be intimated in the repetition of the word maiden. Jerom tells us that Herodias treated the Baptist’s head in a very disdainful manner, pulling out
the tongue which she imagined had injured her, and piercing it with a needle.
⁹ Till the righteous judgment of God overtook them all.] Dr. Whitby, after many others, observes, that Providence interested itself very remarkably in the revenge of this murder on all concerned. Herod’s army was defeated in a war occasioned by his marrying Herodias, which many Jews thought a judgment sent upon him for the death of John: (Joseph. ibid. xviii. cap. 5 (al. 7,) § 1, 2.) Both [and] Herodias, whose ambition occasioned his ruin, were afterwards driven from their kingdom with great regret, and died in banishment at Lyons in Gaul: (Joseph. ibid. cap. 7 (al. 9,) § 2.) And if any credit may be given to Nicephorus (Hist. lib. 1, cap. 20.) Salome, the young lady who made this cruel request, fell into the ice as she was walking over it, which closing suddenly, cut off her head.
Reflections on the death
in the indulgence of their lusts, and triumphed lxxvii. in the murder of this holy prophet.
Mark VI. 29 And the next day, his disciples hearing [of it,] came to the prison, and having permission to do it took up his corpse, and laid it with great reverence, and due lamentation, in a sepulchre belonging to some of them who were willing to pay this last act of duty to their master’s memory: and then they went and told Jesus what had happened, and remembering the repeated testimony which John had borne to him, continued their attendance upon him.
And when his disciples heard of it, they came, and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb; and went and told Jesus. [MAT. XIV. 12.]
IMPROVEMENT.
Mark VI. 14, 16 How dreadful a thing is it to have a guilty and accusing conscience! and how remarkable was the force of it in the instance before us! Herod was a king, yet it addressed him in language of terror, and made itself heard and felt amidst all the hurries and flatteries of a court. Vain was the power of a prince; vain the caresses of a favourite mistress, basely gratified with the blood of a prophet; and vain the yet more besotting tenets of a Sadducee. In one instance at least a resurrection shall be believed; and if a prophet arise in Israel, Herod shall be among the first to say, It is John the Baptist, risen from the dead; and shall be ready to forebode the sad effects of his recovered life, and to prognosticate evil to himself from the mighty works he performed. Let us make it our care to preserve a conscience void of offence, that instead of a continual torment, it may be to us a continual feast!
22, 23 And if we really desire to preserve it, let us take heed that we be not excessively transported with the entertainments of life, or rashly enter ourselves into engagements which perhaps may plunge us into some degree of guilt, whether they be performed or violated.
We see, in this dreadful instance of Herodias, what an implacable degree of malice may arise in the hearts of sinners on being reproved for the most scandalous and mischievous vices. Instead of owning the obligation to one that would have plucked her as a brand out of the burning, she thirsts insatiably for his blood; and chooses rather to indulge her cruelty and revenge in taking away his life, than to gratify her avarice and ambition in demanding a gift that might have been equal to the halfofa kingdom.
25, 27 But how mysterious was that providence which left the life of so holy a man in such infamous hands, and permitted it to be sacrificed to the malice of an abandoned harlot, to the petulancy
of John the Baptist.
of a vain girl, and to the rashness of a foolish and perhaps an intoxicated prince, who made the prophet’s head the reward of a dance! The ways of God are unsearchable! but we are sure he can never be at a loss to repay his servants in another world for the greatest sufferings they endure in this, and even for life itself, when given up in his cause.
We may reasonably conclude that death could never be an unseasonable surprise to this excellent saint. When the executioner came into the prison by night, perhaps breaking in upon his slumbers, and executed his bloody commission almost as soon as he declared it, a soul like his might welcome the stroke, as the means of liberty and glory; assured that the transient agony of a moment would transmit it to a kingdom where the least of its inhabitants would be in holiness, honour, and felicity, superior to John in his most prosperous and successful state on earth.
His enemies might a while insult over him, while his disciples were mingling their tears with his dust, and lamenting the residue of his days cut off in the midst. His death was precious in the sight of the Lord, and the triumphing of the wicked was short. So will he ere long plead the cause of all his injured people, and give a cup of trembling and astonishment to those that have made themselves drunk with their blood. Let cruelty and tyranny do their worst, verily there is a reward for the righteous, verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth. (Psal. lviii. 11.)