Devine Scripture

Matthew 14:4

What does Matthew 14:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 14:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 14:4 means

John the Baptist directly confronted Herod, declaring his marriage to Herodias unlawful. This was based on Old Testament law, which prohibited marrying a brother’s wife, especially while the brother was still alive (Leviticus 18:16, 20:21). John's courage in publicly rebuking Herod for his sin demonstrates his unwavering commitment to God's truth, even when it meant personal danger. This prophetic challenge directly led to John's imprisonment and eventual death.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because John had said to him, It is not right for you to have her.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for John was saying to him, `It is not lawful to thee to have her,'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For John said to him: It is not lawful for thee to have her.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For John said to him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

Context

This verse continues to clarify the specific reason for John the Baptist's imprisonment, building on the previous verse. It provides the explicit content of John's prophetic rebuke to Herod, detailing the moral conflict at the heart of the narrative. This moral clarity is essential for understanding Herodias's hatred and her eventual plot against John's life, which unfolds in the subsequent verses.

v.3For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.

v.4This passage

v.5And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

Cross references

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

  • Acts 24:24

    But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.

  • 1 Kings 21:19

    And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

  • Mark 6:18

    For John said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.

  • Leviticus 18:16

    Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.

  • Leviticus 20:21

    And if a man shall take his brother’s wife, it is impurity: he hath uncovered his brother’s nakedness; they shall be childless.

  • 2 Samuel 12:7

    And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

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