Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 14:2

"and said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore do these powers work in him." — Matthew 14:2 (ASV)

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.