Matthew 14:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He sent and had John beheaded in the prison,

NIV: and had John beheaded in the prison.

NASB: He sent word and had John beheaded in the prison.

CSB: So he sent orders and had John beheaded in the prison.

NLT: So John was beheaded in the prison,

KJV: And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.

NKJV: So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.

Jesus said this to a crowd about His relative John the Baptist: "For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come" (Matthew 11:13–14). There's no doubt that John was God's man sent to deliver God's message at God's time. He was the one commissioned to prepare the way for the Messiah, and he had done exactly that.

Now John is killed in the least dignified of ways for calling out the sin of one of Israel's rulers. Herod Antipas orders John to be beheaded in the prison that is likely inside his own fortress, on the very night and at the very place where Herod is holding a birthday party for himself. Herod has been cornered into this sudden execution by an impulsive promise made to the teenage daughter of his wife in front of his guests (Matthew 14:1–9; Mark 6:19–29).

Jewish law required a prisoner to receive a trial before execution. Scholars debate the extent to which beheading was meant to be used as a punishment. In multiple ways, Herod rejected God's authority over him and over Israel.

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.

Accessed 5/3/2024 12:40:37 AM