Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 14

It seems likely that this event took place after the mission of the Twelve (see Mk 6:7ff). Certainly the multiplication of Jesus’ influence through his disciples would upset Herod, one of whose motives in imprisoning the Baptist had been to thwart any threat to political stability (on Herod, see comment on Mk 6:14).

Jesus’ ministry was taking place largely within Herod’s jurisdiction. His conclusion that this was John the Baptist risen from the dead is of great interest. It reflects an eclectic set of beliefs, such as the Pharisaic understanding of resurrection. During his ministry John had performed no miracles ; therefore Herod ascribes the miracles in Jesus’ ministry, not to John, but to John “risen from the dead.” Herod’s guilty conscience apparently combined with a superstitious view of miracles to generate this theory.

It seems likely that this event took place after the mission of the Twelve (see Mk 6:7ff). Certainly the multiplication of Jesus’ influence through his disciples would upset Herod, one of whose motives in imprisoning the Baptist had been to thwart any threat to political stability (on Herod, see comment on Mk 6:14).

Jesus’ ministry was taking place largely within Herod’s jurisdiction. His conclusion that this was John the Baptist risen from the dead is of great interest. It reflects an eclectic set of beliefs, such as the Pharisaic understanding of resurrection. During his ministry John had performed no miracles ; therefore Herod ascribes the miracles in Jesus’ ministry, not to John, but to John “risen from the dead.” Herod’s guilty conscience apparently combined with a superstitious view of miracles to generate this theory.

Herod Antipas’s first wife was the daughter of Aretas (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:32), Arabian king of the Nabateans, whose land adjoined Perea. To divorce her in favor of Herodias was politically explosive. She was married to Herod Philip, Herod’s half-brother. John probably did not denounce him for divorcing his former wife, an action probably judged allowable, but for incestuously marrying his half-brother’s wife (Leviticus 18:16; Leviticus 20:21); and John probably kept on repeating his rebuke. This political criticism coupled with John’s messianic message (3:1– 12) made him a dangerous man to Herod’s security.

Herod Antipas’s first wife was the daughter of Aretas (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:32), Arabian king of the Nabateans, whose land adjoined Perea. To divorce her in favor of Herodias was politically explosive. She was married to Herod Philip, Herod’s half-brother. John probably did not denounce him for divorcing his former wife, an action probably judged allowable, but for incestuously marrying his half-brother’s wife (Leviticus 18:16; Leviticus 20:21); and John probably kept on repeating his rebuke. This political criticism coupled with John’s messianic message (3:1– 12) made him a dangerous man to Herod’s security.

Herod Antipas’s first wife was the daughter of Aretas (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:32), Arabian king of the Nabateans, whose land adjoined Perea. To divorce her in favor of Herodias was politically explosive. She was married to Herod Philip, Herod’s half-brother. John probably did not denounce him for divorcing his former wife, an action probably judged allowable, but for incestuously marrying his half-brother’s wife (Leviticus 18:16; Leviticus 20:21); and John probably kept on repeating his rebuke. This political criticism coupled with John’s messianic message (3:1– 12) made him a dangerous man to Herod’s security.