Matthew 14:9

The Beheading of John · Matthew 14:1–12
Read Matthew 14

Translations

Modern
The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted
Traditional
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.
Literal
And the king, having been made sorrowful because of the oaths and those reclining with him, commanded it to be given.
Latin
Et contristatus est rex: propter juramentum autem, et eos qui pariter recumbebant, jussit dari.

Original

Greek
English
The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted

Notes

John the Baptist’s message drew large crowds, which leaders saw as a political threat (see Josephus, Antiquities 18.5.2). Years after John was executed, many Jews believed that Herod’s military defeat by King Aretas in AD 36 was God’s judgment for killing an innocent man.

Events

Parallels

Mark 6:14–29 Luke 9:7–9

Glossary

Gospel of Matthew Herod, Herodian Family Herodias John the Baptist Machaerus Miracle Philip Tetrarch

Topics

Herod: Tetrarch of Galilee (Herod Antipas): Beheads John the Baptist Jesus, the Christ: Herod (Antipas) Falsely Supposes Him to be John, Whom he had Beheaded John: Reproves Herod Antipas on Account of his Incest; Herod Imprisons Him, and Beheads Him Malice: Herodias Toward John Murder: Herodias and Her Daughter Oath: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Oaths: Rash: Herod Oaths: The Jews: Generally Respected the Obligation of Persecution of John the Baptist Politics: Women in Herodias, in Influencing the Administration of Herod Prisoners: John the Baptist Rulers: Wicked: Herod Antipas, in Beheading John the Baptist Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated