Matthew 14:8

And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.

And {G1161} she, being before instructed {G4264} of {G5259} her {G846} mother {G3384}, said {G5346}, Give {G1325} me {G3427} here {G5602} John {G2491} Baptist's {G910} head {G2776} in {G1909} a charger {G4094}.

Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of Yochanan the Immerser."

Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

And she, being put forward by her mother, saith, Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.

Context of Matthew 14:8

Matthew 14:8 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of John the Baptist's martyrdom. It immediately follows the account of Salome, the daughter of Herodias, dancing before King Herod Antipas and his guests. Herod, pleased by her performance, rashly promised her anything she desired, up to half of his kingdom. This verse reveals the sinister instruction given to Salome by her mother, Herodias, who harbored a deep-seated grudge against John. John had publicly condemned Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, as detailed in Matthew 14:4. This act of prophetic courage led to John's prior imprisonment, setting the stage for Herodias's vengeful plot.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Malice and Vengeance: The verse starkly illustrates the destructive power of unchecked hatred. Herodias's desire for revenge against John for his moral indictment consumed her, leading her to orchestrate his execution.
  • Manipulation and Deception: Herodias cunningly used her daughter's influence and Herod's impulsive oath to achieve her murderous aim, demonstrating a chilling example of manipulation.
  • Moral Weakness and Rash Oaths: While not directly in this verse, the preceding context highlights Herod's moral cowardice and his entrapment by a foolish oath made in the presence of his guests. This underscores the dangers of making commitments without principle.
  • The Cost of Truth: John the Baptist paid the ultimate price for boldly speaking God's truth to power, reminding us that faithfulness can sometimes lead to persecution, as seen in Matthew 5:12.

Linguistic Insight

The term "charger" in the King James Version refers to a large platter or dish. This detail emphasizes the gruesome nature of the request: John the Baptist's head was to be presented as if it were a ceremonial meal or trophy, reflecting the profound disrespect and malice of Herodias's demand.

Significance and Application

Matthew 14:8 serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin, particularly unchecked anger and vengeful desires. It warns against allowing personal grievances to dictate actions, especially when they involve manipulation and violence. For believers, it highlights the courage required to stand for truth, even when facing opposition from powerful figures. John's unwavering commitment to God's law, even unto death, stands as a testament to faithfulness. The narrative also underscores the importance of wisdom in decision-making, cautioning against rash promises that can lead to regrettable and irreversible outcomes, as Herod discovered. This account remains a powerful illustration of the conflict between light and darkness, truth and malice, and the ultimate triumph of God's sovereign plan despite human wickedness, which is often seen throughout biblical history, for example, in Joseph's story in Genesis 50:20.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Chronicles 22:2

    Forty and two years old [was] Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also [was] Athaliah the daughter of Omri.

  • 2 Chronicles 22:3

    He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly.

  • Mark 6:24

    And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

  • 1 Kings 19:2

    Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do [to me], and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

  • Proverbs 1:16

    For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

  • 1 Kings 18:4

    For it was [so], when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

  • Numbers 7:13

    And his offering [was] one silver charger, the weight thereof [was] an hundred and thirty [shekels], one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them [were] full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

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