Matthew 14:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus,

NIV: At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus,

NASB: At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus,

CSB: At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus.

NLT: When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus,

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

NKJV: At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus

Over the course of His ministry, Jesus became progressively more famous. This is not surprising. Not only was Jesus performing powerful miracles of healing and casting out demons, He was being followed from place to place by large crowds and beginning to publicly conflict with the religious leaders.

One of the people who heard of Jesus' fame was Herod the tetrarch, also known as Herod Antipas. This is not the same man, Herod the Great, who tried to kill Jesus as a baby after learning of His existence from the wise men (Matthew 2:7, 13). After his death, Herod the Great's kingdom of Israel and surrounding territories was split by the Romans between three of his sons. The person described in this passage is one of those sons. Herod Antipas became the ruler over the part of the kingdom that included Galilee in the north and Perea along the east side of the Jordan River. Most of Jesus' ministry so far has taken place within that territory. Antipas ruled from 4 BC To AD 39 and presided over one of the trials of Jesus (Luke 23:7–12).

Some scholars suggest Herod might have heard about Jesus from a man named Chuza, his household manager. Chuza's wife Joanna is mentioned in Luke 8:1–3 as one of "some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities" who were travelling with and providing for Jesus and the disciples.

Matthew 14:1–12 describes how Herod the tetrarch, ruler over Galilee, has heard of Jesus' fame and power. He believes Jesus is a resurrected John the Baptist. Matthew then explains that Herod had arrested John the Baptist. His "crime" was publicly condemning Herod's marriage to his own brother's wife. Later, Herod was manipulated into a promise by his wife's daughter, after she danced for him and his guests. On behalf of her mother, she asked for John the Baptist's head on a platter (Mark 6:14–29). Herod agreed and had John executed immediately. John's disciples came and buried him, then went and told Jesus the news of his death.

Matthew 14 begins with a backstory about the arrest and execution of John the Baptist by Herod the tetrarch, the Jewish ruler of the region. Jesus and the disciples take a boat to a desolate place only to find crowds waiting. Jesus heals many and then feeds as many as twenty thousand people with five loaves and two fish. Later, the disciples row against a strong wind until Jesus walks on the water to meet them and calm the wind. Peter walks on water briefly and then doubts and begins to sink. The disciples worship Jesus. On the other side of the lake, Jesus continues to heal the sick.

Matthew 13 included more of Jesus' parables and an unfortunate incident where His own hometown rejected His ministry. Chapter 14 begins with news that Herod the tetrarch—the man who killed John the Baptist—is aware of Jesus' fame and power. Jesus and the disciples intend to withdraw to somewhere desolate, but a crowd is waiting for them. Jesus heals people, miraculously feeds thousands, and walks on water. When they reach the other side, Jesus heals more people. Chapter 15 sees Jesus once again debating with His critics and performing more healings.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.