Matthew 14 11

Matthew 14:11 kjv

And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.

Matthew 14:11 nkjv

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

Matthew 14:11 niv

His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.

Matthew 14:11 esv

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

Matthew 14:11 nlt

and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.

Matthew 14 verses

Matthew 14 11 Meaning

Matthew 14:11 describes the horrific outcome of Herod's rash oath and Herodias's malicious vengefulness: John the Baptist's severed head was brought to the execution chamber's recipient. This verse is the culmination of John's imprisonment and Herodias's desire for his death, signifying the gruesome finality of his martyrdom at the hands of earthly powers, serving as a dark symbol of truth rejected and righteousness unjustly suppressed.

Matthew 14 11 Context

Matthew 14:11 is part of a larger narrative recounting the gruesome death of John the Baptist. Prior to this verse, Matthew explains John's imprisonment by Herod Antipas, who had been rebuked by John for unlawfully marrying Herodias, his brother Philip's wife (Mt 14:3-4). Herodias harbored deep resentment towards John for this public condemnation. At Herod's birthday feast, Herodias's daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased Herod, leading him to make a solemn, rash oath before his guests to grant her any request, up to half his kingdom (Mt 14:6-7). Prompted by her mother, the girl requested John the Baptist's head on a platter (Mt 14:8). Despite his initial distress due to John's perceived righteousness and fear of the crowds, Herod felt compelled by his oath and the presence of his guests to fulfill the terrible demand (Mt 14:9-10). Verse 11 details the specific action of the executioner bringing the head, its presentation to the girl, and her subsequent delivery of it to her mother, completing Herodias's bitter vengeance. This incident highlights Herod's moral weakness, the manipulative evil of Herodias, and the unjust fate of God's prophet.

Matthew 14 11 Word analysis

• And (Καί - Kai): A common conjunction that simply links the actions described. Here, it maintains the chronological and sequential flow of the narrative, emphasizing the swift, unfolding steps towards the completion of the evil act.
• his head (τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ - tēn kephalēn autou): "His head" refers specifically to John the Baptist. The graphic detail of a severed body part underscores the violence and depravity of the act. In ancient contexts, displaying the head of a conquered enemy or executed person was a symbol of ultimate triumph, degradation, or warning. Here, it symbolizes the silencing of John's prophetic voice.
• was brought (ἠνέχθη - ēnechthē): This verb is in the passive voice, indicating that the head was not moved by its own volition but was an object acted upon. This passivity heightens the horror, as it emphasizes the finality of death and the brutal agency of others in bringing about John's fate. It implies the executioner’s swift action following Herod's command.
• on a platter (ἐπὶ πίνακι - epi pinaki): "Pinaki" (platter/large dish/tray). This detail is intensely chilling. A "platter," typically used for serving food, makes the act deeply perverse. It signifies the head as a 'dish' presented as a reward for a performance, trivializing John's life and prophecy. This grotesque imagery underscores the callousness of Herod's court and the cold calculation of Herodias's demand.
• and given (καὶ ἐδόθη - kai edothē): Another verb in the passive voice, parallel to "was brought." "Given" highlights the transaction – the head is the macabre prize for the girl's dance, completing the fulfillment of the oath. It emphasizes the head as an object of exchange and the absolute nature of the demand's fulfillment.
• to the girl (τῷ κορασίῳ - tō korasiō): "Korasion" denotes a young girl, possibly a young adolescent. This choice of a young, likely innocent, messenger adds another layer of tragic irony and horror to the scene. Her youth stands in stark contrast to the depravity of the act, underscoring how deeply twisted Herodias’s influence and Herod’s court were, willing to involve a child in such barbarity. She becomes the unwilling instrument of vengeance.
• and she brought it (καὶ ἤνεγκεν - kai ēnenken): Unlike the previous passive verbs, this verb is active. The girl physically carries the head. This shift from passive to active underscores her direct, personal involvement in completing the grotesque errand, a detail that intensifies the visual and emotional impact of the narrative.
• to her mother (τῇ μητρὶ αὐτῆς - tē mētri autēs): "Her mother" is Herodias, the vengeful instigator of John’s execution. This final act of delivery ensures Herodias's desire for vengeance is satisfied, culminating her malice. It depicts her directly receiving the grisly proof of her successful scheme.

• "his head...on a platter...given to the girl": This phrase vividly illustrates the de-personalization and brutal objectification of John the Baptist. He is no longer a person or prophet but a trophy, an item to be presented and exchanged, emphasizing the profound moral bankruptcy of those involved. The very instrument of his prophecy – his voice in his head – is the ultimate prize for silence.
• "given to the girl; and she brought it to her mother": This sequence highlights the chain of malice. Herodias uses her daughter to both present the demand and then to retrieve the horrific reward, keeping her hands technically clean of the execution itself while being the ultimate architect and beneficiary of the murder. It also suggests the insidious corruption of innocence by wicked intent.

Matthew 14 11 Bonus section

The narrative of John the Baptist’s beheading serves as a thematic bridge between the Old Testament prophets and Jesus, the ultimate Prophet and Messiah. John, like Elijah before him, fearlessly confronted wickedness in high places, ultimately paying the price for his fidelity. This event demonstrates the pervasive spiritual blindness and corruption in Herod's court, a micro-representation of the fallen world's animosity towards divine truth. The silence of John, the voice crying in the wilderness, by violent means, paradoxically amplified his message and authenticated his prophetic office. His fate foreshadows the ultimate persecution and crucifixion of Jesus, the very One John prepared the way for, illustrating the principle that light exposes darkness and often incurs its wrath.

Matthew 14 11 Commentary

Matthew 14:11 presents a chilling and graphic conclusion to the story of John the Baptist's martyrdom. This verse is terse yet incredibly impactful, devoid of moral commentary from the narrator, allowing the sheer horror of the event to speak for itself. It underlines the finality and brutality of John’s death, portraying his head not as a symbol of dignity or prophecy but as a grotesque object of vengeance and a trophy delivered through an innocent's hands. The passive voice for the initial transport of the head, "was brought...and given," signifies the clinical, cold-blooded efficiency of the execution. However, the active role of the young girl, "she brought it to her mother," adds a disturbing layer to the narrative, showcasing the depths of Herodias's malice by involving her own daughter in such an act of depravity.

The "platter" is a powerful symbolic detail, transforming an instrument of life-sustaining food into one of death and barbarity. It is a stark picture of human sin, lust for power, vengeance, and the tragic consequences of a king's weak resolve in the face of an unrighteous oath. This account serves as a somber prelude to the sufferings of Christ Himself, showing the world's typical response to God's faithful messengers: rejection, persecution, and often, death. It illustrates how true righteousness is often silenced by corrupt worldly authority.
Example:The scene is a powerful reminder that malicious desires, like Herodias's vengeful heart, often lead to irreversible, horrifying outcomes. It illustrates the moral cowardice of bowing to pressure rather than upholding justice and truth.