Matthew 14:1
Matthew 14:1 in Multiple Translations
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
At that season Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus,
At that time news of Jesus came to Herod the king;
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard what Jesus was doing
At that time Herod the Tetrarche heard of the fame of Iesus,
At that time did Herod the tetrarch hear the fame of Jesus,
At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus,
At that time Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
At the time Herod the Tetrarch heard the fame of Jesus.
During that time Herod Antipas, the ruler, heard reports about Jesus performing miracles.
Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 14:1
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Matthew 14:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 14:1
Study Notes — Matthew 14:1
- Context
- Cross References
- Matthew 14:1 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Matthew 14:1
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 14:1
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 14:1
- Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 14:1
- Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 14:1
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 14:1
- Cambridge Bible on Matthew 14:1
- Barnes' Notes on Matthew 14:1
- Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 14:1
- Sermons on Matthew 14:1
Context — The Beheading of John
1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus
2and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke 3:1 | In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, |
| 2 | Mark 8:15 | “Watch out!” He cautioned them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.” |
| 3 | Luke 9:7–9 | When Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, he was perplexed. For some were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that a prophet of old had arisen. “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this man I hear such things about?” And he kept trying to see Jesus. |
| 4 | Acts 4:27 | In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. |
| 5 | Mark 6:14–29 | Now King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah,” and still others, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead!” For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!” So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she had been unable, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed; yet he listened to him gladly. On Herod’s birthday, her opportunity arose. Herod held a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests, and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom!” Then she went out and asked her mother, “What should I request?” And her mother answered, “The head of John the Baptist.” At once the girl hurried back to the king with her request: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.” The king was consumed with sorrow, but because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her. So without delay, the king commanded that John’s head be brought in. He sent an executioner, who went and beheaded him in the prison. The man brought John’s head on a platter and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and placed it in a tomb. |
| 6 | Luke 23:15 | Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death. |
| 7 | Luke 23:7–12 | And learning that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself was in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see Him perform a miracle. Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer. Meanwhile, the chief priests and scribes stood there, vehemently accusing Him. And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies. |
| 8 | Luke 13:31–32 | At that very hour, some Pharisees came to Jesus and told Him, “Leave this place and get away, because Herod wants to kill You.” But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’ |
| 9 | Acts 12:1 | About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church. |
| 10 | Luke 3:19 | But when he rebuked Herod the tetrarch regarding his brother’s wife Herodias and all the evils he had done, |
Matthew 14:1 Summary
This verse tells us that Herod the tetrarch, a ruler in Galilee, heard about Jesus and His teachings. Herod was likely feeling threatened by Jesus' growing popularity, as seen in Matthew 4:23-25, and was trying to understand who Jesus was and what He was doing. As we read this verse, we can remember that Jesus is the Son of God, who came to save us from our sins, as stated in John 3:16 and Romans 5:8. We can also think about how we respond to the news and reports about Jesus that we hear, and whether we are open to learning more about Him and following Him, as encouraged in Matthew 11:28-30 and Revelation 3:20.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Herod the tetrarch and why was he significant in the Bible?
Herod the tetrarch, also known as Herod Antipas, was a ruler of Galilee and Perea, and he is significant in the Bible because of his role in the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus, as seen in Matthew 14:1 and Luke 3:1. He was a son of Herod the Great and was known for his cruelty and immorality, as mentioned in Matthew 14:3-12.
What reports about Jesus would Herod have heard?
The reports about Jesus that Herod heard would have included the news of Jesus' teachings, miracles, and growing popularity, as described in Matthew 4:23-25 and Matthew 9:35. These reports would have likely been carried by travelers, merchants, and other people who had seen or heard about Jesus' ministry.
Why would Herod be interested in Jesus?
Herod would be interested in Jesus because he saw Jesus as a potential threat to his power and authority, as well as a possible connection to John the Baptist, whom he had arrested and imprisoned, as mentioned in Matthew 14:3 and Mark 6:17-18. Herod's interest in Jesus was also driven by superstition and fear, as he believed that Jesus might be John the Baptist risen from the dead, as stated in Matthew 14:2.
What can we learn from Herod's reaction to Jesus?
We can learn from Herod's reaction to Jesus that those in power and positions of authority often feel threatened by the message and presence of Jesus, as seen in Matthew 14:1 and Acts 4:1-3. This reaction can lead to fear, hostility, and even persecution, but it can also be an opportunity for God to work in mighty ways, as seen in the lives of Jesus and the early Christians, as described in Acts 5:29-32 and Romans 8:28.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond to the reports and rumors about Jesus that I hear from others, and what do they reveal about my own faith and trust in Him?
- What are some ways that I can be like Herod, trying to maintain control and power in my own life, and how can I surrender those areas to Jesus?
- In what ways can I be a messenger of the good news about Jesus, sharing reports of His love and redemption with those around me, as seen in Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8?
- How can I be more aware of the spiritual battles and forces at work in my life, and what role does Jesus play in those struggles, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5?
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 14:1
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 14:1
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 14:1
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 14:1
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 14:1
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 14:1
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 14:1
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 14:1
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 14:1
Sermons on Matthew 14:1
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
John and Herod by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the flaws in the character of Herod, focusing on his failure to fully accept and follow the word of God. The preacher emphasizes the importan |
|
(Following the Footsteps of Christ) the Roman Trial by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the scene where Jesus stood before the Roman governor, Pilate. The preacher describes the grand setting of the palace and the Roman soldiers |
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John Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Matthew 14 by John Wesley | John Wesley discusses the events surrounding the beheading of John the Baptist and the subsequent actions of Jesus. He highlights Herod's internal conflict and fear of public opini |
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Matthew 14 by John Nelson Darby | John Nelson Darby explores the events in Matthew 14, focusing on the tragic beheading of John the Baptist by Herod, which illustrates the rejection of God's testimony. Jesus, moved |
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John the Baptist Is Martyred Mark 6:14-29 by David Servant | David Servant delves into the tragic story of Herod Antipas, the son of a murderer, who ordered the execution of John the Baptist due to a foolish oath and pressure from his wicked |
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The Compassion of the Rejected King by John F. Walvoord | John F. Walvoord preaches on the execution of John the Baptist, highlighting his fearless denunciation of Herod Antipas and Herodias, leading to his imprisonment and eventual behea |
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Fire - Prayer Meeting (Cd Quality) by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker describes a powerful and impactful premiere event. They mention a white-haired lady who was sitting in a wheelchair and didn't know anyone's names, but |







