Matthew 14:5 - Forerunner Commentary

Matthew 14:5

3 ^aFor Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.

4 Because John had said to him, ^a“It is not lawful for you to have her.”

5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, ^abecause they counted him as a prophet.

6 But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.

7 Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

8 So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”

9 And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.

10 So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.

11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.

12 Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

Verse Comparison: Matthew 14:5

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

Amplified® Bible
Although he wished to have him put to death, he was afraid of the people, for they regarded John as a prophet.

Contemporary English Version
Herod wanted to kill John. But the people thought John was a prophet, and Herod was afraid of what they might do.

Darby English Version
And [while] desiring to kill him, he feared the crowd, because they held him for a prophet.

Good News Bible
Herod wanted to kill him, but he was afraid of the Jewish people, because they considered John to be a prophet.

International Standard Version
Although Herod wanted to kill him, he was afraid of the crowd, since they regarded John as a prophet.

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

New American Standard Bible
Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.

New International Version
Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.

New King James Version
And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.

Young's Literal Translation
and, willing to kill him, he feared the multitude, because as a prophet they were holding him.

New English Translation
Although¹ Herod² wanted to kill John,³ he feared the crowd because they accepted John as a prophet.