Matthew 14:5
And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The text highlights Herod's internal conflict: while he wanted John dead, he was restrained by fear of the people. This reveals that even a powerful ruler could be influenced by public opinion, especially when that opinion saw John not just as a prisoner, but as a prophet of God.
Herod had imprisoned John the Baptist for confronting him about his unlawful marriage to his brother's wife. Though Herod was inclined to kill John, he feared the people's reaction because they revered John as a prophet. This fear, however, would eventually be overcome by a deadly promise made to his stepdaughter.
Herod wanted John dead. So why didn't he just kill him? The answer lies not just in his own heart, but in the hearts of the people he ruled.
Herod Antipas, the ruler in this story, is in a difficult spot. He's angry with John the Baptist for calling out his sin – marrying his brother's wife. The text tells us he 'wanted to put him to death' (Matthew 14:5). Yet, he hesitates.
A Tyrant's Calculation
Why the delay? It's not a deep moral struggle, at least not initially. The passage points to a very practical reason: 'he feared the people.'
Herod knew John was widely seen as a prophet. The crowds flocked to John, listened to him, and were baptized by him. If Herod had John executed, he risked a revolt. The people's respect for John meant that harming him would be deeply unpopular and potentially dangerous for Herod's reign.
So, even a powerful ruler is not entirely free. He's bound by the need to maintain order and manage public perception. His 'wish' to kill John is held in check by the 'fear' of the people's reaction.
John the Baptist confronted a king. Herod was pressured to act. What does this clash reveal about courage, conscience, and compromise?
This situation highlights a powerful contrast between John the Baptist and Herod.
John's Unwavering Stand
John the Baptist was known for his boldness. He directly confronted Herod about his sinful marriage, a dangerous act that landed him in prison (Matthew 14:4). John wasn't swayed by Herod's power or position. His loyalty was to God's truth, and he spoke it plainly, even at great personal risk.
Herod's Internal Conflict and External Pressures
Herod, on the other hand, is portrayed as conflicted. While he 'wanted to put him to death,' he was restrained. The biblical accounts suggest a few layers to this:
Understand the original words
ephobēthē · Greek Verb
A profound sense of awe, reverence, or dread. While it can mean a healthy fear of God, it also describes the worldly fear of public opinion or consequences, which often leads to the compromise of truth.
prophētēn · Greek Noun
An individual called by God to speak His message to His people. Prophets often serve as the conscience of the nation, calling for repentance and declaring the judgment or promises of God.
Herod's internal conflict highlights the tension between political expediency and moral conviction. His fear of the populace, who revered John as a prophet, ultimately outweighed his personal respect for John and his own desires, demonstrating how public opinion can restrain even tyrannical rulers.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist begins ministry
John the Baptist starts preaching in the wilderness of Judea, calling people to repentance and baptizing them. His ministry gains significant popular support.
c. AD 29— this verse
John rebukes Herod Antipas
John confronts Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, which was considered incestuous and illegal.
c. AD 29
John imprisoned
Herod Antipas imprisons John the Baptist in the fortress of Machaerus to silence him and appease Herodias, though he is hesitant to execute him due to the prophet's popularity and his own respect for John.
c. AD 30
Herod's birthday feast
Herod Antipas holds a lavish banquet for his birthday, attended by his court officials and nobles. This feast becomes the setting for the events leading to John's death.
This passage parallels Matthew 14:5 by highlighting the fear of consequences from the crowd when questioning authority. Just as Herod feared the people's opinion of John, the Jewish leaders feared the crowd's reaction when asked about Jesus' authority.
1 Samuel 15:24This verse shows King Saul's fear of the people, leading him to disobey God's command. Like Saul, Herod's actions are dictated by his fear of public opinion rather than by righteousness, demonstrating a pattern of compromised leadership.
Mark 6:20This verse from Mark provides a richer context for Herod's internal struggle. It reveals that beyond fearing the crowd, Herod also 'feared John,' recognizing him as a righteous and holy man, adding a layer of internal conflict to his external pressures.
Proverbs 29:25This proverb states, 'The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is secure.' Herod's fear of the people ensnares him into a terrible decision, contrasting sharply with the security found in trusting God.
1 Kings 18:4This verse describes Obadiah hiding prophets from Jezebel's wrath. It illustrates a similar theme of protecting a prophet from a hostile ruler, though in Matthew 14, the ruler himself is constrained by public opinion rather than outright malice.
calvinMatthew 14:3-12: "For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife."
- For Herod had seized John, and bound him, and put him in prison, on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4. For John said to him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. 5. And though he wished to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they accounted him a prophet. 6. But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias dan…
pulpitMatthew 14:5: "And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet."
Verse 5. - And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude (cf. Luke 20:6). Mark has, "And Herodias set herself against him, and would have put him to death; and she could not; for Herod feared John." The more detailed account in Mark is doubtless the more exact. Perhaps the facts of the case were that, in the first heat of his resentment, Herod wished to kil…
The text highlights Herod's internal conflict: while he wanted John dead, he was restrained by fear of the people. This reveals that even a powerful ruler could be influenced by public opinion, especially when that opinion saw John not just as a prisoner, but as a prophet of God.
Herod had imprisoned John the Baptist for confronting him about his unlawful marriage to his brother's wife. Though Herod was inclined to kill John, he feared the people's reaction because they revered John as a prophet. This fear, however, would eventually be overcome by a deadly promise made to his stepdaughter.
Herod had imprisoned John the Baptist for confronting him about his unlawful marriage to his brother's wife. Though Herod was inclined to kill John, he feared the people's reaction because they revered John as a prophet. This fear, however, would eventually be overcome by a deadly promise made to his stepdaughter.
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Ultimately, Herod was a weak leader, swayed by external pressures and his own sinful desires, unable to act on the conviction his conscience offered. John, in contrast, stands as a model of prophetic courage, willing to speak truth to power regardless of the consequences.
c. AD 30
Salome's dance and request
Salome, Herodias' daughter, dances for Herod and his guests, greatly pleasing them. Herod rashly vows to give her anything she asks.
c. AD 30
Beheading of John the Baptist
Prompted by Herodias, Salome asks for the head of John the Baptist. Herod, bound by his oath and pressured by his guests, orders John's execution in prison.
"And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet." — The text highlights Herod's internal conflict: while he wanted John dead, he was restrained by fear of the people. This reveals that even a powerful ruler could be influenced by public opinion, esp…
