Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Grieved (luphqeiv). Not to hurt, for in verse Matthew 14:5 we read that he wanted (qelwn) to put him to death (apokteinai). Herod, however, shrank from so dastardly a deed as this public display of brutality and bloodthirstiness. Men who do wrong always have some flimsy excuses for their sins. A man here orders a judicial murder of the most revolting type "for the sake of his oath" (dia touv orkouv). "More like profane swearing than deliberate utterance once for all of a solemn oath" (Bruce). He was probably maudlin with wine and befuddled by the presence of the guests.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Matthew 14:9:
Mark 6:17
Mark 8:15
Hebrews 6:17
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
