Devine Scripture

Matthew 14:8

What does Matthew 14:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 14:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 14:8 means

Prompted by her mother, Herodias, the girl asked Herod for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. This shocking request reveals Herodias's deep-seated malice and desire for revenge against John for his condemnation of her unlawful marriage. She used her daughter as a pawn to achieve her murderous goal, demonstrating her ruthlessness and the depth of her hatred. This calculated demand highlights the moral depravity within Herod's court.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And she, being put forward by her mother, saith, Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And she, being put forward by her mother, saith, Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And she, at her mother's suggestion, said, Give me here on a plate the head of John the Baptist.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And she having been instigated by her mother--`Give me (says she) here upon a plate the head of John the Baptist;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But she being instructed before by her mother, said: Give me here in a dish the head of John the Baptist.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But she, being set on by her mother, says, Give me here upon a dish the head of John the baptist.

Context

This verse portrays the direct consequence of Herod's impulsive oath, revealing the sinister nature of Herodias's influence. It explains the specific, gruesome request made by the daughter, highlighting the malicious intent behind it. This demand forces Herod into a difficult position, setting up the agonizing decision he makes in the following verse, despite his initial reluctance.

v.7Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she should ask.

v.8This passage

v.9And the king was grieved; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat with him, he commanded it to be given;

Cross references

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

  • 1 Kings 18:4

    for it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of Jehovah, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

  • 1 Kings 19:2

    Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to-morrow about this time.

  • Proverbs 29:10

    The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect; And as for the upright, they seek his life.

  • Ezra 1:9

    And this is the number of them: thirty platters of gold, a thousand platters of silver, nine and twenty knives,

  • 1 Kings 18:13

    Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of Jehovah, how I hid a hundred men of Jehovah’s prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?

  • Proverbs 1:16

    For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood.

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