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Matthew 14

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.

For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.

And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.

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.

And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.

And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.

And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

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.

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

He said, Bring them hither to me.

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.

And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;

And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

What does Matthew 14:10 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 14:10 recounts a tragic event in the Gospels, the execution of John the Baptist.

Here, the grim reality of John’s fate comes abruptly and without any preceding dramatic event within the verse itself.

John the Baptist, who was a key prophetic figure paving the way for Jesus Christ, was imprisoned by Herod Antipas.

The execution was carried out as a fulfillment of a rash promise made by Herod to his stepdaughter, Salome, after she danced for him on his birthday.

Prompted by her mother Herodias, who harbored a grudge against John for condemning her marriage to Herod (which was unlawful according to Jewish law), Salome requested John’s head on a platter, and Herod obliged.

This verse, therefore, reveals a mixture of weak political power, moral cowardice, and the consequences of speaking truth to power.

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Historical Context

The execution of John the Baptist took place during the reign of Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, around 28-36 AD.

Herod was a son of Herod the Great and ruled over his territories after his father's death.

John the Baptist had been criticizing Herod's marriage to Herodias, his brother's former wife, which was against Jewish law.

This created tension between John and the Herodian rulers, leading to John's imprisonment and subsequent execution.

This verse reflects the intersection of political maneuvering, personal vendetta, and the risks faced by prophets in speaking out against the ruling class.

Theological Insights

The passage sheds light on several theological themes.

One is the concept of prophetic martyrdom.

John the Baptist follows in the footsteps of the prophets who came before him, often facing persecution or death for their commitment to God's message.

His death prefigures that of Jesus, illustrating the cost of righteousness and divine mission in a sinful world.

Another theme is the sovereignty of God over human affairs.

Despite the grim circumstances, John's death can be seen as part of a larger divine plan, directing attention towards Jesus and setting the stage for the events of the Passion.

It reminds believers that even in situations of apparent defeat, God’s purposes are at work.

Practical Applications

The verse calls believers to consider the cost of discipleship and the courage to stand for truth, even in the face of dire consequences. It serves as a challenge to remain faithful to God's word when against societal norms or political power.

Moreover, it inspires individuals to examine their own responses to truth-tellers in society and to support those who courageously advocate for justice and righteousness.

Cross-References

Mark 6:27: "And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison."
Luke 9:9: "And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him."
Matthew 11:11: "Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word "beheaded" is translated from "ἀπεκεφάλισεν" (apekephalisen), which is a compound word: "apo" meaning "off" and "kephale" meaning "head".

This verb is used in the aorist active indicative form, which indicates a specific action completed in the past.

This word carries not only the literal meaning but also the violent and final nature of the act.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient cultures, beheading was a common method of execution, used by the Romans, Greeks, and many eastern civilizations.

It was a symbol of the absolute power that rulers held over life and death.

In the religious context, John’s beheading can be compared to the demise of other prophets and holy figures in various traditions, often seen as a testament to their steadfast faith and convictions.

The story may also be compared to narratives of martyrdom found in other religions where key figures are killed unjustly due to their teachings or beliefs.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives do not typically inform the interpretation of biblical verses.

However, from an anthropological view, accounts like the beheading of John have helped to understand the social dynamics, governance, and penal systems of ancient societies.

Forensic science can provide insights into the methods and instruments of execution used in the past, though these details are not specified in the biblical text.

Commentaries

Bible scholars and theologians offer diverse perspectives on Matthew 14:10.

Some emphasize the stark realism and suddenness of the act, contrasting it against the narrative of miracles and teachings that surround it in the Gospels.

Others reflect on the moral cowardice of Herod, his lack of resolve in keeping morally wrong promises, and the dangers of a despot’s power wielded without wisdom.

Additionally, commentators often explore the theme of injustice, noting that the righteous do not always receive earthly justice and that John's death, while tragic, serves the purpose of highlighting the corrupt human systems in contrast to the divine kingdom Jesus proclaims.

Matthew 14

Matthew 14

What does Matthew 14:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 14:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?