Matthew 14 2

Matthew 14:2 kjv

And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

Matthew 14:2 nkjv

and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."

Matthew 14:2 niv

and he said to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him."

Matthew 14:2 esv

and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him."

Matthew 14:2 nlt

he said to his advisers, "This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles."

Matthew 14 verses

Matthew 14 2 Meaning

Matthew 14:2 reveals King Herod Antipas's profound spiritual agitation and superstitious belief concerning Jesus. Upon hearing of Jesus' miraculous works, his guilty conscience immediately led him to conclude that Jesus was John the Baptist, resurrected from the dead. He erroneously attributed Jesus' extraordinary power to John's post-mortem return, indicating a deep-seated fear rooted in his unrepented sin of beheading John.

Matthew 14 2 Context

Matthew 14:2 immediately follows Herod the tetrarch hearing reports of Jesus' burgeoning fame and powerful works (Mt 14:1). This verse sets the stage for a detailed recounting of John the Baptist's imprisonment and execution by Herod (Mt 14:3-12), which is presented as a flashback within the narrative. Herod Antipas was a notoriously immoral and politically ambitious ruler, burdened by the condemnation of John the Baptist for his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. His inner turmoil and guilty conscience are highlighted by his panicked reaction to Jesus' miracles. This period also reflects the increasing public speculation about Jesus' identity, showing that even among rulers, Jesus' power commanded attention and fear.

Matthew 14 2 Word Analysis

• And he said (καὶ εἶπεν): This indicates Herod's personal declaration, revealing his inner thought processes to his close associates. It's not a mere passing observation but a disturbed confession.
• to his servants (τοῖς δούλοις αὐτοῦ): Literally "to his slaves," but in this context, refers to his personal attendants, courtiers, or trusted officials who were privy to his inner circle and thoughts. This reveals a private, rather than public, outburst of fear.
• “This is John the Baptist (Οὗτός ἐστιν Ἰωάννης ὁ βαπτιστὴς): Herod's definitive, yet utterly mistaken, identification of Jesus. The demonstrative "this" (Οὗτός) emphasizes his certainty despite his error. John the Baptist had a strong prophetic anointing and drew significant crowds, and his outspoken confrontation of Herod made a deep impression.
• he has been raised from the dead (αὐτὸς ἠγέρθη ἀπὸ τῶν νεκρῶν): The Greek ēgerthē (ἠγέρθη) is a clear past tense verb indicating an accomplished resurrection. Apo tōn nekrōn (ἀπὸ τῶν νεκρῶν) literally means "from the dead ones," a standard New Testament phrase for resurrection. Herod's belief here is not a confession of faith in a true spiritual resurrection unto new life in Christ, but a superstitious fear of a vengeful, powerful return of one he had wronged. It highlights a common ancient belief in the powerful return of figures who died unjustly, or powerful spirits influencing the living.
• and therefore (καὶ διὰ τοῦτο): This phrase establishes a direct causal link in Herod's mind. The perceived resurrection is the reason for the perceived powers.
• these miraculous powers (αἱ δυνάμεις): The Greek term dynameis (δυνάμεις) literally means "powers" or "abilities," but in the New Testament, it commonly refers to mighty works, miraculous deeds, or manifestations of divine power. Herod's acknowledgement of "powers" (plural) indicates he was aware of the various types of miracles Jesus performed.
• are at work in him (ἐνεργοῦσιν ἐν αὐτῷ): The Greek verb energoūsin (ἐνεργοῦσιν) means "are active," "are operative," "are at work." It signifies a dynamic, potent force working through Jesus. Herod wrongly attributes these divine manifestations not to Jesus' inherent divine authority, nor to the Holy Spirit dwelling in Him, but to the posthumous spiritual energy of the resurrected John.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Herod... said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist...": This grouping reveals Herod's troubled state. His conversation with his inner circle indicates a significant inner conflict. His immediate leap to identifying Jesus as John signifies how deeply John's condemnation and execution weighed on his conscience. It was a projection of his guilt.
• "...he has been raised from the dead, and therefore these miraculous powers are at work in him.": This segment elucidates Herod's understanding of supernatural power. For Herod, death did not necessarily mean an end to influence, especially for someone as righteous as John. The attribution of Jesus' dynameis to John's resurrection reveals a mixture of fear, superstition, and possibly a warped sense of divine retribution at play in his mind, rather than a genuine understanding of God's redemptive power through Jesus.

Matthew 14 2 Bonus Section

In the ancient world, especially among those who might not have had a firm theological understanding of resurrection as taught in Scripture (like the Sadducees who denied it, or Pharisees who believed in it more robustly), there were various superstitious beliefs about the spirits of the dead. Some thought spirits could re-embody, or that powerful deceased figures could return or exert influence from the afterlife. Herod's statement seems to align with a more superstitious belief in a sort of spiritual return or re-incarnation rather than the theological concept of bodily resurrection unto glory as taught by the Prophets and fulfilled in Christ. This contrasts with how Jesus' disciples, upon witnessing His resurrection, understood it as God's divine act vindicating Him. Herod's reaction showcases the difference between fear-driven superstition and faith-driven conviction. His concern was for his own fate and retribution, not the true identity of God's Son.

Matthew 14 2 Commentary

Matthew 14:2 provides a chilling glimpse into the tormented soul of Herod Antipas. His pronouncement is not merely a political calculation or public opinion, but a raw, superstitious reaction born of a deeply troubled conscience. Having unjustly executed John the Baptist, Herod now saw a reflection of his unrighteous deed in the person and power of Jesus. His internal guilt, unconfessed and unrepented, created a distorted perception of reality, leading him to believe the incredible: that the prophet he beheaded had returned, supernaturally empowered, perhaps to avenge himself.

This verse contrasts sharply with the true understanding of Jesus' identity and power, which derives from His unique divine Sonship and the Spirit of God working through Him. Herod's interpretation of miracles, though acknowledging their existence, fundamentally misses their true source and purpose. He sees power, but misinterprets its origin and intent. This highlights how a mind hardened by sin and fear can misinterpret even the clearest manifestations of God's presence. It is a profound illustration of the principle that "the wicked flee when no one pursues" (Prov 28:1), demonstrating the internal torment brought by an unaddressed sinful past.