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)
Here's a key insight from Matthew 14:5: The verse reveals a crucial distinction: Herod wanted to kill John, but his fear of the people, who saw John as a prophet, ultimately restrained him. This highlights that even wicked rulers can be held back, not by a conscience towards God, but by the potential threat of public opinion and unrest.
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)
Herod had imprisoned John the Baptist for publicly denouncing his unlawful marriage to Herodias. Though Herod was personally inclined to execute John for this rebuke, he feared the people's reaction because they revered John as a prophet, making him hesitate to carry out the death sentence. This fear, along with a complex mix of respect and inner conflict, kept John alive in prison for a time, even as Herodias plotted his demise.
Even the most powerful rulers can be swayed by more than just their own desires. Sometimes, they even hold a grudging respect for those who challenge them.
The verse reveals a fascinating internal struggle within Herod. While he 'wanted to put him [John] to death,' he was restrained. This wasn't just a simple pause in his plan; it was a conflict between his will and a deeper recognition.
What does it mean when a ruler's decisions are dictated not by justice, but by the crowd's perspective?
Herod's primary motivation for not executing John wasn't a moral conviction, but a pragmatic fear of the populace. This highlights a critical theme: the corrupting influence of prioritizing public image over righteousness.
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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 decision to delay John's execution wasn't about mercy, but about managing public perception. The people viewed John as a prophet, and Herod feared a riot if he killed him outright, highlighting the tension between political expediency and divine authority.
c. AD 28
John condemns Herod Antipas
John the Baptist publicly denounces Herod Antipas for divorcing his wife and marrying Herodias, his brother Philip's former wife. This act of marital impropriety was widely condemned.
c. AD 28— this verse
John imprisoned by Herod Antipas
Herod Antipas, angered by John's public rebuke, imprisons him in the fortress of Machaerus. Despite his anger, Herod is also described as fearing John and listening to him.
c. AD 29
Herod's birthday banquet
Herod celebrates his birthday with a lavish feast for his officials. His stepdaughter Salome dances at the feast, pleasing Herod and his guests.
c. AD 29
Salome's request and John's execution
Herod, in his drunken state, rashly promises Salome anything she asks. Prompted by her mother Herodias, Salome demands the head of John the Baptist, leading to his execution.
This passage shows a similar situation where religious leaders feared the crowd's reaction, highlighting the common theme of public opinion influencing the actions of those in power, even when faced with religious or moral truth.
1 Samuel 15:24Saul's fear of the people led him to disobey God's direct command, mirroring Herod's prioritization of human opinion over divine will and justice in his dealings with John.
Jeremiah 20:10Jeremiah describes the pressure and slander he faced from those who conspired against him, illustrating the opposition prophets often encountered, and how their powerful message could incite fear and hatred in corrupt authorities.
Mark 6:20Mark's account adds that Herod 'feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and protected him; and when he heard him, he was much perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.' This shows a deeper internal conflict within Herod, a reverence for John's righteousness that wrestled with his desire to eliminate him.
Proverbs 29:25This proverb states, 'The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe,' directly addressing Herod's fatal flaw: his fear of people led him into a destructive situation, while true safety lies in trusting God.
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…
Here's a key insight from Matthew 14:5:
The verse reveals a crucial distinction: Herod wanted to kill John, but his fear of the people, who saw John as a prophet, ultimately restrained him. This highlights that even wicked rulers can be held back, not by a conscience towards God, but by the potential threat of public opinion and unrest.
Herod had imprisoned John the Baptist for publicly denouncing his unlawful marriage to Herodias. Though Herod was personally inclined to execute John for this rebuke, he feared the people's reaction because they revered John as a prophet, making him hesitate to carry out the death sentence. This fear, along with a complex mix of respect and inner conflict, kept John alive in prison for a time, even as Herodias plotted his demise.
Herod had imprisoned John the Baptist for publicly denouncing his unlawful marriage to Herodias. Though Herod was personally inclined to execute John for this rebuke, he feared the people's reaction because they revered John as a prophet, making him hesitate to carry out the death sentence. This fear, along with a complex mix of respect and inner conflict, kept John alive in prison for a time, even as Herodias plotted his demise.
"And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet." — Here's a key insight from Matthew 14:5:
The verse reveals a crucial distinction: Herod wanted to kill John, but his fear of the people, who saw John as a prophet, ultimately restrained him. This h…
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Last reviewed October 2026