Matthew 14:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet.

NIV: Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.

NASB: Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.

CSB: Though Herod wanted to kill John, he feared the crowd since they regarded John as a prophet.

NLT: Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.

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

NKJV: And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

Matthew is describing how John the Baptist came to be imprisoned and eventually killed by Herod the tetrarch, the Roman-appointed Jewish ruler of Galilee and Perea in Israel. Herod, also known as Herod Antipas, had divorced his wife and married his brother's wife. John the Baptist had called him out publicly, saying that this was in violation of Jewish religious law. For the sake of that wife, Herod had John arrested and imprisoned (Mark 6:14–19).

Likely to please his wife Herodias, Herod had initially wanted to have John executed. As a ruler, though, he had to be aware of how the people of Israel might respond to this action. It's not that Herod could be voted out of office, but his obligation under Roman rule was to maintain the peace in his region of Israel. He had the authority to arrest and execute anyone for nearly any reason, but he could not risk causing an uprising. Even if the people themselves didn't succeed, such unrest would have brought great trouble from the Roman government.

Many people thought John the Baptist was a prophet sent from God like the Israelite prophets of old. Some, including Jesus, said John was the fulfillment of God's promise to send Elijah again (Matthew 11:14). Herod was afraid to give the people reason to think that he was defying the will of God by killing His prophet. That fear was only temporary, however.

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.