Matthew 14:1-12
14:1 a Herod Antipas’s official title was tetrarch (ruler of a fourth part of a kingdom) of Galilee and Perea (4 BC—AD 39; see 2:19-22 b). Jesus referred to Antipas as “that fox” (Luke 13:32 c), and John the Baptist justly condemned him for adultery (Matt 14:3-12 d; Luke 3:19-20 e).14:2 f There was a rumor that John had been resurrected (see 16:14 g).
Summary for Matt 14:3-12: 14:3-12 h The popular appeal of John’s message posed a political threat (see Josephus, Antiquities 18.5.2). Years after John’s execution, the Jews viewed Herod’s military defeat at the hands of Aretas (AD 36) as a just recompense for putting an innocent man to death.
14:4 i John had continually warned Herod of his sin (see Lev 18:6 j; 20:21 k).
14:6 l Herodias’s daughter was probably Salome, a daughter from Herodias’s previous marriage to Philip. Sexually provocative dances such as this were a regular occurrence for depraved royalty.
14:7 m Such an extravagant, foolish oath was consistent with Herod Antipas’s character.
14:8 n The practice of bringing a head ... on a tray was not unknown in the ancient world (see Josephus, Antiquities 13.4.8; 14.15.13; 18.5.1; 20.5.1).
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