Matthew 14:9

KJV

And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded [it] to be given [her].

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the king {G935} was sorry {G3076}: nevertheless for {G1161}{G1223} the oath's sake {G3727}, and {G2532} them which sat with him at meat {G4873}, he commanded {G2753} it to be given {G1325} her.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king became deeply upset; but out of regard for the oaths he had sworn before his dinner guests, he ordered that her wish be granted,

Berean Standard Bible

The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted

American Standard Version

And the king was grieved; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat with him, he commanded it to be given;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 14:9 records the tragic moment when Herod Antipas, despite his personal regret, succumbed to political pressure and the binding nature of a foolish oath, ordering the beheading of John the Baptist. This verse highlights Herod's moral weakness and the devastating consequences of prioritizing human approval and a misguided sense of honor over justice and divine truth, leading to the unjust execution of God's prophet.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of the narrative concerning John the Baptist's imprisonment and execution, which is strategically placed within Matthew's Gospel. It immediately follows Salome's request for John's head, prompted by her mother Herodias's vengeful manipulation ([Matthew 14:8](/matthew/14-8 "Matthew 14:8 - Salome's Request")). The preceding verses detail Herod's initial imprisonment of John for condemning his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife ([Matthew 14:3-4](/matthew/14-3-4 "Matthew 14:3-4 - John Rebukes Herod")). Despite his fear of John as a righteous man and his fear of the crowds who regarded John as a prophet ([Matthew 14:5](/matthew/14-5 "Matthew 14:5 - Herod's Fear of the People")), Herod's rash oath at his birthday feast created an inescapable dilemma. This passage serves as a stark parallel to the later unjust trial and execution of Jesus, emphasizing the world's rejection of God's messengers.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Herod Antipas was a tetrarch, a client king ruling Galilee and Perea under Roman authority. His marriage to Herodias, his niece and sister-in-law, violated Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 18:16](/leviticus/18-16 "Leviticus 18:16 - Unlawful Marriages")). Oaths in the ancient world, especially those made publicly and before witnesses, carried immense social and religious weight. Breaking an oath, even a foolish one, could lead to a severe loss of honor, reputation, and political standing. Herod's feast was a typical display of Hellenistic-Roman conviviality, where public image and the opinions of guests were paramount. The presence of "them which sat with him at meat" underscores the social pressure Herod faced, making his decision a public affirmation of his word, even at the cost of a righteous man's life. This cultural emphasis on honor and public perception explains, though does not excuse, Herod's tragic choice.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 14:9 contributes significantly to several major themes in the Gospel. It powerfully illustrates the **conflict between worldly power and divine truth**, as Herod's political expediency and personal honor clash with John's prophetic integrity. The theme of **martyrdom** is central, as John the Baptist's death foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus and the persecution of His followers. It also highlights the **danger of human fear and compromise**, demonstrating how the fear of man can lead to grave sin, as seen in Herod's prioritization of his guests' opinions over his conscience and God's law. Furthermore, the passage subtly underscores the **binding nature of words**, whether rash oaths or prophetic pronouncements, and the severe consequences that can follow them, echoing Jesus's later teachings on the seriousness of oaths in [Matthew 5:33-37](/matthew/5-33-37 "Matthew 5:33-37 - Jesus' Teaching on Oaths").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sorry (Greek, _lypéō'_):** From the root _lypé_, meaning "grief" or "distress," this word signifies that Herod experienced genuine emotional discomfort, sadness, or regret. It indicates an internal conflict, a pang of conscience, rather than indifference. However, this sorrow was not strong enough to compel him to do what was right.
* **oath's sake (Greek, _hórkos'_):** Derived from a word meaning "a fence" or "limit," this term refers to a sacred restraint, specifically an oath. It emphasizes the binding nature of the promise Herod had made. In this context, it highlights the perceived unbreakable commitment Herod felt obligated to uphold, regardless of its moral implications.
* **commanded (Greek, _keleúō'_):** From a primary verb meaning "to urge on" or "hail," this word means "to incite by word" or "order." It signifies a direct, authoritative instruction. Despite his sorrow, Herod actively issued the command for John's execution, demonstrating his ultimate exercise of power and responsibility for the act.
* **sat with him at meat (Greek, _synanákeimai'_):** This compound word means "to recline in company with (at a meal)." It specifically refers to the guests present at Herod's banquet. Their presence underscores the social pressure and the desire for public approval that heavily influenced Herod's decision, as he wished to maintain his image and honor before his peers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king was sorry:"** This clause reveals Herod's internal state. Despite his tyrannical power, he was not entirely devoid of conscience or human feeling. His sorrow suggests a recognition of the wrongness of the impending act, perhaps a fear of divine judgment, or simply regret over the difficult position his rash oath had placed him in. It highlights a moral struggle within him.
* **"nevertheless for the oath's sake,"** This phrase introduces the primary external pressure driving Herod's decision. The "nevertheless" (Greek _dé_) indicates a strong contrast between his sorrow and his subsequent action. His commitment to his public oath, however foolish, was perceived as an unbreakable bond, a matter of honor and integrity in the eyes of his guests and himself.
* **"and them which sat with him at meat,"** This crucial phrase points to the social and political pressure. Herod's concern for his reputation and the opinions of his dinner guests outweighed his internal conviction. He feared the embarrassment or loss of face that would accompany breaking a public oath more than he feared committing a grave injustice or offending God.
* **"he commanded [it] to be given [her]."** This final clause describes Herod's decisive action. Despite his sorrow and the moral implications, he issued the direct order for John's execution. The passive "to be given her" (referring to John's head) emphasizes the fulfillment of Salome's request, demonstrating Herod's ultimate surrender to external pressures and his own flawed sense of honor.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 14:9 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological impact. The most prominent is **Irony**, as Herod's "sorrow" (Greek _lypéō_) stands in stark contrast to his subsequent action. He feels regret, yet proceeds with the execution, highlighting the tragic irony of a ruler who knows better but acts worse. This creates a powerful sense of **Moral Dilemma**, portraying Herod as caught between his conscience and his public image, ultimately choosing the latter. The passage also employs **Foreshadowing**, as John's unjust execution for speaking truth to power prefigures the greater injustice that will befall Jesus, who also confronts the religious and political authorities. Furthermore, the phrase "them which sat with him at meat" serves as a form of **Synecdoche**, where the part (the guests) represents the whole (societal pressure and the desire for human approval), emphasizing the corrupting influence of the court environment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 14:9 encapsulates the profound spiritual battle between the fear of God and the fear of man. Herod's sorrow indicates a conscience at work, a flicker of moral understanding, yet his ultimate decision reveals the overwhelming power of human approval and the perceived necessity of upholding a public oath, even when it leads to a heinous act. This tragic choice serves as a stark warning against compromising one's integrity for social standing or personal convenience. It underscores the biblical truth that true wisdom lies in fearing God above all else, for the fear of man is a snare that can lead to profound sin and spiritual ruin. John the Baptist's martyrdom, sealed by this command, highlights the cost of prophetic faithfulness in a fallen world and sets the stage for the ultimate confrontation between God's kingdom and the powers of darkness embodied in the crucifixion of Christ.

* [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - Keeping Vows")
* [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The Snare of the Fear of Man")
* [James 4:17](/james/4-17 "James 4:17 - Knowing to Do Good and Not Doing It")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Herod's tragic decision in Matthew 14:9 offers profound lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder of the insidious nature of peer pressure and the danger of prioritizing human approval over divine principles. Like Herod, we can find ourselves in situations where our conscience pricks us, but the desire to maintain face, avoid discomfort, or please others tempts us to compromise our convictions. This passage challenges us to cultivate a robust, biblically informed conscience and the courage to obey it, even when it is costly or unpopular. It calls us to examine our motivations: are we driven by a fear of God, which leads to life and righteousness, or by a fear of man, which brings a snare and can lead to moral decay? Our words, especially promises and oaths, carry weight, and we are called to be people of integrity whose "yes" means "yes" and "no" means "no," avoiding rash commitments that could lead us into sin. Ultimately, this verse urges us to stand firm in truth, even if it means standing alone, trusting in God's approval above all else.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you most susceptible to the "fear of man" or the desire for social approval?**
* **Have you ever made a promise or commitment that you later regretted, and how did you handle it?**
* **How can you cultivate a more sensitive conscience that is attuned to God's will, and the courage to obey it?**
* **What is one practical step you can take this week to prioritize God's approval over the opinions of others?**

### FAQ

**Why was Herod "sorry" but still ordered John's execution?**

Answer: Herod's sorrow (Greek _lypéō_) indicates genuine regret or distress, suggesting he knew that executing John was wrong. However, his decision was ultimately swayed by two powerful external pressures: the binding nature of his public oath and the desire to maintain his honor and reputation before his dinner guests. In ancient culture, breaking a public oath, especially one made before prominent witnesses, would have resulted in immense shame and loss of face. Herod prioritized his social standing and a misguided sense of honor over his conscience and the life of a righteous man. This illustrates the dangerous snare of the [fear of man, which brings a snare](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The Fear of Man").

**What does this passage teach us about oaths and promises?**

Answer: This passage serves as a cautionary tale about the seriousness of oaths and the dangers of making rash promises. While the Old Testament emphasizes the importance of keeping vows ([Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - Keeping Vows")), Jesus later taught against casual or unnecessary oaths, urging His followers to let their "yes" be "yes" and their "no" be "no" ([Matthew 5:37](/matthew/5-37 "Matthew 5:37 - Jesus' Teaching on Oaths")). Herod's situation demonstrates that even a seemingly trivial or thoughtless promise, when made publicly, can lead to severe and unintended consequences. It highlights the need for careful consideration and integrity in all our words and commitments, emphasizing that our ultimate allegiance should be to God's truth, not to human expectations or foolish vows.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic execution of John the Baptist in Matthew 14:9, though a dark moment, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate suffering and triumph of Jesus Christ. John, as the prophetic forerunner, prepared the way for the Messiah, and his unjust death at the hands of a compromised ruler, swayed by worldly pressures, prefigures the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus. Just as Herod was "sorry" but ultimately succumbed to the fear of man, so too would Pontius Pilate later wash his hands, knowing Jesus was innocent, yet yielding to the demands of the crowd ([Matthew 27:24](/matthew/27-24 "Matthew 27:24 - Pilate Washes His Hands")). John's faithfulness unto death, even when confronted by corrupt authority, points to Christ's perfect obedience and willingness to lay down His life as the Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). While John's ministry ended in martyrdom, Jesus's death was not the end but the means to a glorious resurrection, securing victory over sin and death for all who believe ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9-10 "Romans 6:9-10 - Christ's Resurrection and Victory")). Thus, John's fate underscores the world's hostility towards God's truth, a hostility ultimately conquered by the sacrificial love and sovereign power of Jesus, the true King.

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

John 19:12

And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

John 19:16

¶ Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led [him] away.

Mark 6:20

For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

Matthew 14:5

And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

1 Samuel 14:24

¶ And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed [be] the man that eateth [any] food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted [any] food.

Judges 11:30

And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,

Judges 11:31

Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.