Devine Scripture

Matthew 14:11

What does Matthew 14:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 14:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 14:11 means

John's head was brought on a platter and presented to the girl, who then took it to her mother, Herodias. This macabre detail emphasizes the barbaric nature of the act and the vindictive triumph of Herodias. The public display of a prophet's severed head serves as a chilling symbol of the world's hostility towards God's messengers and the depths of human depravity. It powerfully concludes the account of John's martyrdom.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And his head was put on a plate and given to the girl; and she took it to her mother.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and his head was brought upon a plate, and was given to the damsel, and she brought <FI>it<Fi> nigh to her mother.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and his head was brought upon a dish, and was given to the damsel, and she carried [it] to her mother.

Context

This verse describes the unsettling aftermath of John's execution, detailing the delivery of his head as requested. It highlights the gruesome reality of Herodias's revenge and the depth of her malice. This scene of triumph for John's enemies directly precedes the actions of his heartbroken disciples, leading to the ultimate moment when Jesus receives the devastating news.

v.10and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.

v.11This passage

v.12And his disciples came, and took up the corpse, and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 17:6

    And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I wondered with a great wonder.

  • Ezekiel 16:3

    and say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah unto Jerusalem: Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of the Canaanite; the Amorite was thy father, and thy mother was a Hittite.

  • Ezekiel 19:2

    and say, What was thy mother? A lioness: she couched among lions, in the midst of the young lions she nourished her whelps.

  • Revelation 16:6

    for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and blood hast thou given them to drink: they are worthy.

  • Proverbs 27:4

    Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; But who is able to stand before jealousy?

  • Jeremiah 22:17

    But thine eyes and thy heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for shedding innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.

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