John Calvin Commentary Matthew 14:6

"But when Herod`s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod." — Matthew 14:6 (ASV)

And when Herod’s birthday was kept. The Evangelists now begin to relate the stratagem by which Herodias eventually succeeded in a design she had long contemplated: taking John’s life. The opportunity was provided for her by an annual festival, when Herod was celebrating his birthday.

It is hardly possible that such magnificent preparations should not draw luxury, pride, unbridled merriment, and other crimes, and also many other evils, along with them. Not that there is anything wrong in the mere act of preparing an expensive banquet; but such is the tendency of the human mind to licentiousness that when the reins are loosened, people quickly go astray.

The ancient custom of observing a birthday every year as an occasion of joy cannot in itself be disapproved. For that day, as often as it returns, reminds each of us to give thanks to God, who brought us into this world and has allowed us, in his kindness, to spend many years in it. It also reminds us to recall how improperly and uselessly the time God granted us has been allowed to pass away. Finally, it reminds us that we should commit ourselves to the protection of the same God for the remainder of our life.

But nothing is so pure that the world does not taint it with its own vices. A birthday, which should have been held sacred, is profaned by most people with disgraceful abuses; and there is hardly any costly entertainment that is free from wicked debauchery. First, people drink more freely; next, the door is opened to filthy and immodest conversation; and lastly, no moderation is observed. This was the reason why the patriarch Job was in the habit of offering sacrifices while his sons were feasting alternately in each other’s houses (Job 1:5). It was because he thought that when the guests invite one another to merriment, they are far from maintaining proper moderation and sin in a variety of ways.

Thus it happened that Herod, intending to give a rich entertainment to his guests, permitted his wife’s daughter to dance. This also shows what kind of discipline existed at his court; for, though most people at that time thought themselves free to dance, yet for a marriageable young woman to dance was a shameful display of a harlot’s brazenness. But the unchaste Herodias had so molded her daughter Salome to her own ways that the daughter would not bring shame upon her mother.³⁶⁵ And what was the consequence? The wicked murder of a holy prophet. The heat of wine had such an influence on Herod that, forgetting dignity and prudence, he promised a dancing girl that he would give her even to the half of his kingdom. A shameful example truly, that a drunken king not only permits himself to watch with approval a spectacle³⁶⁶ which was disgraceful to his family, but holds out such a reward! Let us therefore learn to be careful in anticipating and resisting the devil, lest he entangle us in such snares.

³⁶⁵ “Si elle eust mieux fallu que sa mere;” — “if she were more highly esteemed than her mother.”;” — “if she were more highly esteemed than her mother.”

³⁶⁶ “Non seulement prend plaisir a un fol passe-temps;” — “not only takes pleasure in a foolish pastime.”;” — “not only takes pleasure in a foolish pastime.”