Matthew 14:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.

NIV: His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.

NASB: And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.

CSB: His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.

NLT: and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.

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

NKJV: And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.

This is a gruesome picture to imagine, one imagined and captured by artists throughout history, including Caravaggio and other painters. John the Baptist has been ordered beheaded during the celebration of Herod's birthday. The wicked king has done this to keep a promise to his stepdaughter, rather than to risk being dishonored before his guests. His wife Herodias trapped her husband by prompting her daughter to make the request (Matthew 14:6–10).

The order is carried out and John's head is placed on a serving platter. It is brought to the party and presented to the girl. She takes the platter and hands it over to her mother, Herodias. Herodias has achieved her revenge against the prophet of God who called out her sin of marrying her husband's brother (Matthew 14:3–4; Mark 6:17–19). Some historians suggest Herodias further abused John's head after his death in full view of the partygoers, though that claim is not substantiated. Given her venom for John, that would not be out of character. Whatever else happened, Herodias' reputation as a cruel and manipulative woman was set.

The death of John the Baptist is a blow that will land hard with his 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.