New International VersionNow Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
New Living TranslationFor Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip).
English Standard VersionFor Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
Berean Standard BibleNow Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
Berean Literal BibleFor Herod, having seized John, bound him and put him in prison, on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.
King James BibleFor Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
New King James VersionFor Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
New American Standard BibleFor when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.
NASB 1995For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.
NASB 1977For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.
Legacy Standard BibleFor when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.
Amplified BibleFor Herod had John arrested and bound him and put him in prison [at the fortress of Machaerus, east of the Jordan, to keep him away] because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip,
Christian Standard BibleFor Herod had arrested John, chained him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
Holman Christian Standard BibleFor Herod had arrested John, chained him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
American Standard VersionFor Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
English Revised VersionFor Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationHerod had arrested John, tied him up, and put him in prison. Herod did this for Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.
Good News TranslationFor Herod had earlier ordered John's arrest, and he had him tied up and put in prison. He had done this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
International Standard VersionHerod had arrested John, bound him with chains, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
NET BibleFor Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,
New Heart English BibleFor Herod had arrested John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
Webster's Bible TranslationFor Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
Weymouth New TestamentFor Herod had arrested John, and had put him in chains, and imprisoned him, for the sake of Herodias his brother Philip's wife, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNow Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
World English BibleFor Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionFor Herod having laid hold on John, bound him, and put him in prison, because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
Berean Literal BibleFor Herod, having seized John, bound him and put him in prison, on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.
Young's Literal Translation For Herod having laid hold on John, did bind him, and did put him in prison, because of Herodias his brother Philip's wife,
Smith's Literal TranslationFor Herod, having seized John, bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias, his brother Philip's wife: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor Herod had apprehended John and bound him, and put him into prison, because of Herodias, his brother's wife.
Catholic Public Domain VersionFor Herod had apprehended John, and bound him, and put him in prison, because of Herodias, the wife of his brother.
New American BibleNow Herod had arrested John, bound [him], and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip,
New Revised Standard VersionFor Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor Herod had arrested John, and bound him, and put him in prison, because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishFor Herodus had seized Yohannan and bound him and cast him into prison because of Herodia the wife of Philippus his brother. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor Herod had laid hold of John, and bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.
Godbey New TestamentFor Herod having arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison, on account of Herodias the wife of his brother Philip.
Haweis New TestamentFor Herod having seized John, had bound him, and put him in prison, for the sake of Herodias, the wife of Philip his brother.
Mace New Testamentfor Herod having secur'd John, bound him, and put him in prison to please Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
Weymouth New TestamentFor Herod had arrested John, and had put him in chains, and imprisoned him, for the sake of Herodias his brother Philip's wife,
Worrell New TestamentFor Herod, having laid hold of John, bound him, and put him in prison, because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
Worsley New Testamentfor Herod had apprehended John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife;
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Beheading of John… 2and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3NowHerodhad arrestedJohnand boundhimandput himinprisonon account ofHerodias,hisbrotherPhilip’swife,4because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”…
Cross References Mark 6:17-18For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married. / For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!”
Luke 3:19-20But when he rebuked Herod the tetrarch regarding his brother’s wife Herodias and all the evils he had done, / Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.
Leviticus 18:16You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would shame your brother.
Leviticus 20:21If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity. He has uncovered the nakedness of his brother; they shall be childless.
Matthew 4:12When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee.
Matthew 11:2Meanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ, and he sent his disciples
John 3:24(For John had not yet been thrown into prison.)
Acts 12:1-4About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church. / He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. / And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. ...
2 Kings 3:7And he sent a message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?” “I will go,” replied Jehoshaphat. “I am as you are, my people are your people, and my horses are your horses.”
2 Kings 9:7And you are to strike down the house of your master Ahab, so that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of the LORD shed by the hand of Jezebel.
2 Kings 9:30-37Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window. / And as Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, O Zimri, murderer of your master?” / He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” And two or three eunuchs looked down at him. ...
1 Kings 18:4for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.)
1 Kings 19:1-3Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. / So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I have not made your life like the lives of those you killed!” / And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,
Jeremiah 20:2he had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.
Jeremiah 26:21-23King Jehoiakim and all his mighty men and officials heard his words, and the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah found out about it, he fled in fear and went to Egypt. / Then King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achbor along with some other men. / They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who had him put to the sword and his body thrown into the burial place of the common people.
Treasury of Scripture For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. Herod. Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; Mark 6:17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. Luke 3:19,20 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, … Herodias'. his. Luke 13:1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. Philip's. Jump to Previous AccountArrestedBindBoundChainsHerodHerodiasHero'di-AsHoldImprisonedJohnLaidPhilipPhilip'sPrisonSakeSeizedWifeJump to Next AccountArrestedBindBoundChainsHerodHerodiasHero'di-AsHoldImprisonedJohnLaidPhilipPhilip'sPrisonSakeSeizedWifeMatthew 14 1.Herod's opinion of Jesus.3.Wherefore John Baptist was beheaded.13.Jesus departs into a solitary place,15.where he feeds five thousand men with five loves and two fishes.22.He walks on the sea to his disciples;34.and landing at Gennesaret,35.heals the sick who touch of the hem of his garment.Now Herod had arrested JohnHerod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, was the son of Herod the Great. He ruled during the time of Jesus and John the Baptist. Herod's arrest of John the Baptist was a politically motivated action, as John was a popular prophet who openly criticized Herod's immoral actions. This arrest reflects the tension between political power and prophetic truth, a recurring theme in the Bible. and bound him
Binding John signifies the attempt to suppress his influence and message. In biblical times, binding was a common practice for prisoners, symbolizing the restriction of freedom. This act of binding a prophet highlights the conflict between worldly authority and divine mission, as seen in other biblical narratives where God's messengers face persecution. and put him in prison
John was imprisoned in the fortress of Machaerus, located east of the Dead Sea. This location was a strategic and secure place for detaining political prisoners. The imprisonment of John the Baptist foreshadows the suffering and persecution that Jesus and His followers would endure, emphasizing the cost of discipleship and the opposition faced by those who speak God's truth. on account of Herodias
Herodias was the wife of Herod's half-brother Philip, and her marriage to Herod Antipas was both unlawful and scandalous according to Jewish law (Leviticus 18:16, 20:21). Herodias's influence over Herod led to John's imprisonment, illustrating the destructive power of sin and the moral corruption within Herod's court. Herodias's role in John's arrest underscores the theme of personal vendettas and the misuse of power. his brother Philip’s wife
Philip, also known as Herod Philip I, was Herod Antipas's half-brother. Herodias's marriage to Herod Antipas while still being Philip's wife was considered adulterous and incestuous by Jewish standards. This situation highlights the moral decline of Herod's family and serves as a backdrop for John's bold proclamation of righteousness. The unlawful marriage is a direct challenge to God's commandments, setting the stage for John's prophetic confrontation with Herod. Persons / Places / Events 1. Herod AntipasThe tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, son of Herod the Great. He is known for his role in the imprisonment and execution of John the Baptist. 2. John the BaptistA prophet and forerunner of Jesus Christ, known for his call to repentance and baptism. He was imprisoned by Herod Antipas for speaking against Herod's unlawful marriage. 3. HerodiasThe wife of Herod's brother Philip, whom Herod unlawfully married. Herodias held a grudge against John the Baptist for condemning their marriage. 4. PhilipHerod's brother, originally married to Herodias. His marriage to Herodias was considered lawful, unlike her subsequent marriage to Herod Antipas. 5. PrisonThe place where John the Baptist was held captive. This imprisonment was a result of Herodias's influence over Herod. Teaching Points The Cost of Speaking TruthJohn the Baptist's imprisonment reminds us that standing for God's truth can lead to personal sacrifice and persecution. Believers are called to uphold biblical principles, even when it is unpopular or dangerous. The Influence of Sinful RelationshipsHerod's unlawful marriage to Herodias led to a series of sinful actions, including the imprisonment and eventual execution of John. This serves as a warning about the consequences of sinful relationships and decisions. The Power of ConvictionDespite the threat to his life, John the Baptist remained steadfast in his conviction to speak against sin. Christians are encouraged to hold firm to their convictions, trusting in God's justice and sovereignty. The Danger of CompromiseHerod's decision to imprison John was a compromise to please Herodias, illustrating the dangers of compromising one's values to appease others. Believers should seek to please God above all else. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Matthew 14:3?
2.Why did Herod imprison John according to Matthew 14:3, and what can we learn?
3.How does Herod's action in Matthew 14:3 reflect on moral courage today?
4.What Old Testament examples parallel Herod's actions in Matthew 14:3?
5.How can we avoid compromising our values like Herod did in Matthew 14:3?
6.What role does accountability play in leadership, as seen in Matthew 14:3?
7.Why did Herod imprison John the Baptist according to Matthew 14:3?
8.How does Herod's action in Matthew 14:3 reflect on his moral character?
9.What historical evidence supports the events described in Matthew 14:3?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 14?
11.What led to John the Baptist's beheading?
12.What defines the Moral Majority?
13.Who was Herodias in the Bible?
14.Did John the Baptist doubt Jesus' identity?What Does Matthew 14:3 Mean Now Herod had arrested John• Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, acts against John the Baptist. • John had publicly condemned Herod’s unlawful marriage (Matthew 14:4). • This arrest is confirmed inMark 6:17-18 andLuke 3:19-20, showing a consistent historical record. • John’s bold preaching fulfills his prophetic role announced inIsaiah 40:3 andMalachi 3:1.
and bound him• Binding underscores Herod’s determination to silence John, not merely question him (Mark 6:17). • Chains illustrate the cost of proclaiming truth (Acts 12:3-5;2 Timothy 2:9). • God’s servants may be restrained, yet His word remains free and active (Philippians 1:12-14).
and put him in prison• The prison likely stood in the fortress of Machaerus, an isolated stronghold east of the Dead Sea (Luke 3:20). • Isolation sought to cut John off from influence, yet disciples still visited him (Matthew 11:2-3). • Scripture repeatedly shows God turning prisons into platforms—Joseph (Genesis 39:20-23), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 37:15-16), Paul and Silas (Acts 16:23-25).
on account of Herodias• Herodias, previously married to Herod’s half-brother Philip, orchestrated the move against John (Mark 6:19). • Her bitterness exemplifies worldly hostility toward divine rebuke (John 3:19-20). • Herod’s moral compromise exposes the danger of ungodly alliances (1 Kings 21:25;2 Corinthians 6:14).
his brother Philip’s wife• The relationship violatedLeviticus 18:16; 20:21, making John’s condemnation a direct appeal to written Law. • Herod valued personal desire over obedience, echoing Esau’s despising of birthright (Hebrews 12:16). • Scripture insists that leaders are not above God’s standards (2 Samuel 12:7-9;James 2:9).
summaryMatthew 14:3 records Herod Antipas’s decisive steps—arresting, binding, and imprisoning John—to silence prophetic truth that exposed his illicit union with Herodias. Each clause reveals the clash between righteous proclamation and unrighteous power. Though the world may shackle God’s messengers, His word stands unchained, calling every generation to uphold His holy standards. (3) Put him in prison.--Josephus ( Ant. xviii. 5, ? 2) gives Machaerus, in Peraea, as the scene of the imprisonment and death of the Baptist. Verse 3. - For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him. Although had simplifies the meaning to the English reader, as definitely marking what must have been the case, that John's imprisonment began some time before, yet in the Greek only the aorist is used to commence a vivid narrative. And put him in prison; "put him away in prison ( ἐν φυλακῇ ἀπέθετο)." So of Micaiah by Ahab ( 2 Chronicles 18:26, LXX., but not Lucian's text). Probably here in allusion to the distance of Machaerus from Herod's usual residence at Tiberius. Possibly, also, a reference to John being safer there from the designs of Herodias ( Mark 6:19, 20). Anyhow, notice the stages in Herod's action - capture, binding, imprisonment in a place where he was quite out of the way. For Herodias' sake. John was imprisoned, according to the New Testament, (1) as a punishment for his rebuke of Herod; (2) to protect him from Herodias' vengeance. (On the statement by Josephus, that it was for political reasons, seeMatthew 3:1, note.)His brother Philip's wife. According to Josephus ('Ant.,' 18:05. 4), the first husband of Herodias was "Herod," son of Herod the Great by Mariamne the high priest's daughter, and the daughter of Herodias, Salome, married Philip the tetrarch, who was also the son of Herod the Great by Cleopatra of Jerusalem. Hence many critics (e.g. Ewald; Schurer, I. 2:22) suppose the account in Matthew and Mark to be mistaken, and due to a confusion of Herodias with her daughter. But, although it is curious that two sons of Herod the Great should have been called Philip, yet, in view of their being by different mothers, it cannot be pronounced impossible ("Antipas" and "Antipater" arenot precisely identical). Besides, Herod the son of Mariamne would probably have had some other name than that of his father alone. It is noticeable that, in the same context, Josephus speaks also of Antipas by the name Herod only.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek [Now]γὰρ(gar)Conjunction
Strong's 1063:For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.HerodἩρῴδης(Hērōdēs)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2264:Compound of heros and eidos; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings.had arrestedκρατήσας(kratēsas)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2902:From kratos; to use strength, i.e. Seize or retain.JohnἸωάνην(Iōanēn)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2491:Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.[and] boundἔδησεν(edēsen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1210:To bind, tie, fasten; I impel, compel; I declare to be prohibited and unlawful. A primary verb; to bind.himαὐτὸν(auton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.put [him]ἀπέθετο(apetheto)Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 659:To lay off or aside, renounce, stow away, put. From apo and tithemi; to put away.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.prisonφυλακῇ(phylakē)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5438:From phulasso; a guarding or, the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or, the time, literally or figuratively.on account ofδιὰ(dia)Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.Herodias,Ἡρῳδιάδα(Hērōdiada)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2266:From Herodes; Herodias, a woman of the Heodian family.hisαὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.brotherἀδελφοῦ(adelphou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 80:A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.Philip’sΦιλίππου(Philippou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5376:From philos and hippos; fond of horses; Philippus, the name of four Israelites.wife,γυναῖκα(gynaika)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135:A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 14:3 For Herod had laid hold of John (Matt. Mat Mt) |
