Matthew 14:7

KJV

Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.

KJV (with Strong's)

Whereupon {G3606} he promised {G3670} with {G3326} an oath {G3727} to give {G1325} her {G846} whatsoever {G3739}{G1437} she would ask {G154}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.

Berean Standard Bible

so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked.

American Standard Version

Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she should ask.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 14:7 captures the pivotal moment at Herod Antipas's birthday feast when, captivated by Salome's dance, King Herod impulsively binds himself with a solemn oath to grant her any request, setting the stage for the tragic demand of John the Baptist's head. This rash promise, made under the influence of revelry and a desire to impress, underscores the profound consequences of unbridled power and compromised integrity, leading directly to a grave injustice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the narrative of John the Baptist's martyrdom. Immediately preceding it, Matthew recounts Herod Antipas's birthday celebration, where Salome, the daughter of Herodias (Herod's unlawful wife), performs a dance that greatly pleases Herod and his guests. Herod's impulsive promise in [Matthew 14:7](/matthew/14-7 "Matthew 14:7 - Herod's Oath") is the direct consequence of this entertainment and his desire to display his generosity and power. It serves as the dramatic hinge upon which the subsequent events—Salome's consultation with her mother, her demand for John's head, and Herod's reluctant but ultimately compliant execution order—turn. The narrative flow highlights the escalating tension and the tragic inevitability once Herod's oath is pronounced, revealing the corrupting influence of the court and the moral weakness of the king.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Herod Antipas was a tetrarch, a client ruler under the Roman Empire, governing Galilee and Perea. His marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, was a violation of Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 18:16](/leviticus/18-16 "Leviticus 18:16 - Unlawful Marriage")) and deeply offensive to devout Jews, a fact that John the Baptist publicly condemned ([Matthew 14:4](/matthew/14-4 "Matthew 14:4 - John's Rebuke of Herod")). Oaths in the ancient world, particularly those made by rulers, were considered extremely binding, often invoking divine witness. To break such a public oath would result in severe loss of honor, reputation, and perceived divine displeasure. Herod's feast would have been a lavish affair, typical of Hellenistic rulers, involving feasting, drinking, and entertainment. In this setting, the king's word, especially when sealed with an oath, carried immense weight, creating a moral dilemma for Herod when the requested demand was made.
* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 14:7](/matthew/14-7 "Matthew 14:7 - Herod's Rash Promise") contributes significantly to several key themes within the broader narrative. The first is the **danger of rash promises and oaths**, illustrating how commitments made impulsively or under duress can lead to catastrophic outcomes. Herod's oath, though seemingly generous, becomes a trap that forces him into an act of profound injustice, highlighting the solemnity and potential peril of such vows, a theme Jesus later addresses in [Matthew 5:33-37](/matthew/5-33-37 "Matthew 5:33-37 - Jesus' Teaching on Oaths"). Secondly, the passage underscores the **consequences of sin and moral compromise**. Herod's initial sin of marrying Herodias sets in motion a chain of events that culminates in murder, demonstrating how one sin often begets another, leading to deeper entanglement and destruction. Finally, the narrative reveals the **power of malice and manipulative influence**, particularly through Herodias. While Salome is the instrument, it is Herodias's deep-seated hatred for John, stemming from his prophetic rebuke, that orchestrates the demand for his execution ([Matthew 14:8](/matthew/14-8 "Matthew 14:8 - Salome's Request")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **promised (Greek, _homologéō'_):** This verb means "to assent, i.e. covenant, acknowledge." In this context, it signifies Herod's public declaration and agreement to fulfill Salome's request. The use of this word, especially when coupled with an oath, emphasizes the binding nature of his commitment, making it a formal and serious pledge rather than a casual remark. It implies a public and acknowledged declaration that he would stand by his word.
* **oath (Greek, _hórkos'_):** Derived from a word meaning "a fence" or "limit," an oath is a sacred restraint or solemn declaration, often invoking a divine witness. For Herod, swearing "with an oath" meant he was calling upon a higher power (implicitly, God or the gods) to witness and enforce his promise. This made his word inviolable in the eyes of his culture and himself, creating a moral and political dilemma when the request was made. The inclusion of "with an oath" elevates the promise beyond mere words to a sacred, unbreakable vow.
* **ask (Greek, _aitéō'_):** This verb means "to ask (in general case), beg, call for, crave, desire, require." It denotes a direct request, implying a petition or demand. The phrasing "whatsoever she would ask" grants Salome (or, more accurately, Herodias through her) complete liberty in her request, highlighting the dangerous breadth of Herod's impulsive promise. It sets the stage for a demand that would prove to be both shocking and irreversible.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whereupon he promised with an oath":** This clause establishes the immediate consequence of Salome's dance and Herod's pleasure. The phrase "with an oath" is crucial, signifying a solemn, binding vow that, in the cultural context, was considered unbreakable. Herod's promise is not a casual remark but a formal, public declaration, elevating its significance and the king's perceived obligation to fulfill it.
* **"to give her whatsoever she would ask":** This part of the verse reveals the expansive and unconditional nature of Herod's promise. By granting her the power to ask for "whatsoever," he relinquishes control over the outcome, placing immense power in Salome's hands. This open-ended commitment, made impulsively, is the fatal flaw that leads directly to the tragic demand for John the Baptist's head. It highlights Herod's lack of foresight and the dangerous implications of his unbridled authority.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Herod's unconditional oath immediately signals that something momentous, and likely negative, will be requested. The audience is left in suspense, anticipating the terrible demand. There is also a strong element of **Dramatic Irony**. Herod, in his revelry and desire to display generosity, believes he is making a grand gesture, yet the audience knows, or can easily infer, the sinister intentions of Herodias lurking in the background, making his promise a self-inflicted trap. Furthermore, the scene presents a stark **Contrast** between the festive atmosphere of the birthday celebration and the grim reality of the impending execution, highlighting the moral decay within Herod's court. The king's word, which should uphold justice, is instead used to facilitate an act of injustice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 14:7 serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of our words and commitments, particularly when made impulsively or without careful consideration of their moral implications. Herod's oath, born of pride and a desire for public approval rather than wisdom, entraps him in a moral dilemma that he resolves through a grave sin. This narrative underscores the biblical principle that words, especially those sworn with an oath, carry immense weight and consequence, reflecting the character and integrity of the speaker. It highlights the destructive power of unchecked human desires and the corrupting influence of power when not tempered by righteousness. The tragic outcome for John the Baptist underscores the cost of prophetic witness in a world hostile to truth, and the spiritual danger of succumbing to external pressures over internal conviction.

* [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "The Binding Nature of Vows")
* [Proverbs 20:25](/proverbs/20-25 "Rash Vows")
* [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4-5 "Fulfilling Vows")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 14:7 offers a profound lesson for believers today, urging us to consider the weight of our words and the integrity of our commitments. Herod's impulsive oath, driven by pride and the desire to impress, led to an irreversible and horrific act. This narrative challenges us to cultivate wisdom and self-control, particularly in moments of heightened emotion or public pressure. It reminds us that true integrity means aligning our words with our values, even when it is difficult or unpopular. We are called to be people whose "yes" means yes and "no" means no, avoiding rash promises that can compromise our conscience or lead us into sin. Furthermore, this passage serves as a cautionary tale about the ripple effects of moral compromise; Herod's initial sin with Herodias created a fertile ground for further evil, culminating in the murder of a prophet. We must be vigilant against the subtle compromises that can lead to greater spiritual entanglement, always seeking to honor God above all human approval.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to make rash promises or commitments for the sake of public approval or personal gratification?**
* **How does this passage challenge my understanding of integrity and the importance of aligning my words with my actions?**
* **What are the potential "Herodias" influences in my life that might subtly push me towards moral compromise or ungodly decisions?**

### FAQ
**Why was Herod so bound by his oath that he would commit such a terrible act?**

Answer: In the ancient world, particularly among rulers, an oath was a profoundly serious and legally binding commitment. It was often made in the presence of witnesses and implicitly or explicitly invoked divine authority. For a king like Herod Antipas, breaking a public oath would result in immense loss of honor, respect, and political standing, potentially even inviting divine retribution. While he was "grieved" by the request for John the Baptist's head, his desire to maintain his reputation and the perceived sanctity of his word, especially before his guests, outweighed his moral compunction. This highlights the cultural pressure and the personal weakness that led him to prioritize his image over justice and human life, as seen in [Matthew 14:9](/matthew/14-9 "Matthew 14:9 - Herod's Regret and Compliance").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Matthew 14:7 details a king's fatal flaw and a prophet's unjust end, it subtly points to the ultimate King and Prophet, Jesus Christ. Herod's inability to uphold justice due to a rash oath stands in stark contrast to Christ's unwavering commitment to truth and righteousness. John the Baptist, as the forerunner, is martyred for speaking truth to power, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of the one he announced. Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), would later be condemned by a corrupt political system, not due to a king's foolish oath, but by the deliberate malice of religious leaders and the weakness of a Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, who similarly chose political expediency over justice ([John 19:12-16](/john/19-12-16 "John 19:12-16 - Pilate Delivers Jesus to be Crucified")). Unlike Herod, who was trapped by his own words, Jesus willingly laid down His life, fulfilling the divine oath of salvation promised through the prophets. His death, unlike John's, was not a tragic accident of human folly but the purposeful act of God's redemptive plan, a sacrifice that truly takes away the sin of the world ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Thus, John's martyrdom, sealed by Herod's oath, serves as a poignant prelude to the greater, redemptive suffering of Christ, who perfectly fulfills God's promises.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Esther 5:3

Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what [is] thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

Esther 5:6

And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What [is] thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what [is] thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

Esther 7:2

And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What [is] thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what [is] thy request? and it shall be performed, [even] to the half of the kingdom.