Matthew 14:9

Though grieved, Herod orders John's execution for the sake of his oath and his guests. Cowardice and pride win out over conscience.

Cross-references · 24

• John 19:12–16From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”
• Matt 14:1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus
• 1 Sam 25:32–34Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me this day!
• 1 Sam 14:39–45As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan, he must die!” But not one of the troops said a word.
• Judg 11:30–31Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand,
• Dan 6:14–16As soon as the king heard this, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel, and he labored until sundown to rescue him.
• 1 Sam 14:24Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food.
• Luke 13:32But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’
• Eccl 5:2Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.
• 1 Sam 25:22May God punish David, and ever so severely, if I let one of Nabal’s men survive until morning.”
• Num 30:5–8But if her father prohibits her on the day he hears about it, then none of the vows or pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand. The LORD will absolve her because her father has prohibited her.
• Mark 6:20because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed; yet he listened to him gladly.
• Mark 6:26The king was consumed with sorrow, but because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her.
• Judg 21:7–23What should we do about wives for the survivors, since we have sworn by the LORD not to give them our daughters in marriage?”
• Matt 27:17–26So when the crowd had assembled, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
• Judg 21:1Now the men of Israel had sworn an oath at Mizpah, saying, “Not one of us will give his daughter in marriage to a Benjamite.”
• Acts 25:3–9to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.
• Acts 24:23–27He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
• 2 Kgs 6:31–33He announced, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders through this day!”
• 1 Sam 14:28Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the troops with a solemn oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food today.’ That is why the people are faint.”
• Matt 14:5Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.
• 1 Sam 28:10Then Saul swore to her by the LORD: “As surely as the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this.”
• Mark 6:14Now King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
• Judg 11:39After two months, she returned to her father, and he did to her as he had vowed. And she had never had relations with a man. So it has become a custom in Israel

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