Matthew 14 6

Matthew 14:6 kjv

But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

Matthew 14:6 nkjv

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

Matthew 14:6 niv

On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much

Matthew 14:6 esv

But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod,

Matthew 14:6 nlt

But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias's daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him,

Matthew 14 verses

Matthew 14 6 Meaning

Matthew 14:6 details a pivotal moment during Herod Antipas's birthday celebration. At this feast, the daughter of Herodias, likely Salome though unnamed in scripture, performed a dance that greatly pleased Herod. This specific act set in motion a chain of events leading to the fulfillment of Herodias's malicious plan against John the Baptist. It highlights the consequence of a sensual display influencing a powerful ruler, culminating in a rash vow with tragic implications.

Matthew 14 6 Context

Matthew chapter 14 begins with Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, hearing of Jesus's miracles and concluding He was John the Baptist risen from the dead. This verse then forms part of a flashback, where the evangelist explains why Herod believed this, detailing the circumstances of John's death. John had openly condemned Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife (Lev 18:16, 20:21). Herod, though internally conflicted due to his respect for John and fear of the populace, had imprisoned him under pressure from Herodias. The narrative sets the scene at a lavish birthday feast, common for Hellenized rulers, often marked by excess and entertainment. It was in this environment that Herodias, seeking her opportune moment, utilized her daughter to orchestrate John's demise.

Matthew 14 6 Word analysis

• But when: Greek "γενομένων" (genomenōn) - "and having come to pass." Signals a shift to a specific time and event, a temporal connection to the preceding imprisonment of John, highlighting the occasion that led to his death.

• Herod’s: Refers to Herod Antipas, tetrarch, one of the sons of Herod the Great. He was a political and religious opportunist, known for his corrupt personal life and tenuous rule under Roman authority.

• birthday (γεσίων, genesion): A plural noun, indicating a birthday feast or celebration. Such celebrations, particularly lavish ones involving dancers, were characteristic of Roman and Hellenistic rulers, not traditional Jewish practice, further highlighting Herod's Hellenized, pagan-influenced court.

• was kept (ἐγένετο, egeneto): Simple verb meaning "it came to pass" or "it happened." Conveys the event as a specific occurrence in time.

• the daughter: Unnamed in Scripture, but traditional identification points to Salome. Her anonymity underscores her role as a tool in her mother's scheme rather than her personal notoriety.

• of Herodias: Identifies her lineage and points to the real instigator behind the events. Herodias was driven by malice and a desire for revenge against John for his condemnation of her incestuous marriage to Herod.

• danced (ὠρχήσατο, ōrchēsato): Greek for performing a dance. The act was highly suggestive and calculated to provoke a strong reaction from Herod and his guests. For a royal princess to perform such a public, likely sensual, dance was unusual and perhaps indicative of Herodias's degradation of her own daughter to achieve her ends.

• before them: Indicates a public spectacle for the assembled guests, including the high officials, military commanders, and prominent men of Galilee (Mk 6:21). This public nature amplified Herod's obligation to fulfill his subsequent oath, preserving his honor before his peers.

• and pleased (καὶ ἤρεσεν, kai ēresen): Signifies the emotional and sensory impact of the dance on Herod. The verb means "it was pleasing" or "it delighted." It shows the immediate success of the daughter's performance and sets the stage for Herod's impulsive response.

• Herod: The direct object of the pleasure, whose judgment was swayed by the sensual display and public adulation, leading to his ill-advised vow.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Herod's birthday was kept": Establishes the specific occasion for the subsequent tragedy, highlighting a festive yet ultimately corrupted environment.
  • "the daughter of Herodias danced before them": Pinpoints the catalytic event, showing how a planned entertainment became a sinister trap. The combined identification of the daughter through Herodias emphasizes the malicious manipulation at play.
  • "and pleased Herod": This phrase captures the immediate effect and critical turning point. Herod's gratification, born of impulse and possibly lust or drunkenness, leads directly to the fateful promise.

Matthew 14 6 Bonus section

• While not explicitly stated in Matthew, Mark 6:24 indicates Herodias coached her daughter, instructing her to ask for John the Baptist's head, revealing the full extent of her cunning malice.
• The unnamed status of Herodias's daughter in the biblical text is significant; her identity is entirely defined by her relation to her vengeful mother, emphasizing her role as an extension of Herodias's will.
• The narrative serves as a stark contrast between the purity and steadfastness of John the Baptist, who boldly preached truth, and the moral corruption of Herod’s court, characterized by illicit relationships, rash oaths, and violence.
• The scene underscores how a seemingly innocuous event like a celebratory dance can be weaponized in the hands of malicious individuals to achieve their dark ends, impacting political power dynamics and divine justice.

Matthew 14 6 Commentary

Matthew 14:6 is a concise verse yet profoundly illustrative of the depravity of human nature when unchecked by divine law or moral restraint. It unveils the seductive power of lust and entertainment, leading a powerful ruler like Herod to make a reckless oath fueled by flattery and public display. The setting of a birthday feast, meant for celebration, becomes the backdrop for an act of calculated manipulation by Herodias. The dance, typically a form of artistic expression, is debased into an instrument of vengeance, orchestrated by a mother through her daughter. This passage subtly portrays the weakness of Herod, torn between his respect for John and his fear of Herodias and public opinion. Ultimately, it emphasizes the tragic consequence of human compromise and unchecked desire, leading to the murder of God’s prophet. This serves as a warning against the perils of impulsive promises made under the sway of sinful desires, especially when influenced by others' evil intentions, showing how moments of pleasure can spiral into irreversible wickedness.