Matthew 14:9
New International Version
The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted

New Living Translation
Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders.

English Standard Version
And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given.

Berean Standard Bible
The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted

Berean Literal Bible
And the king having been grieved, on account of the oaths and those reclining with him, he commanded it to be given.

King James Bible
And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.

New King James Version
And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.

New American Standard Bible
And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths and his dinner guests.

NASB 1995
Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests.

NASB 1977
And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests.

Legacy Standard Bible
And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests.

Amplified Bible
The king was distressed, but because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests, he ordered it to be given her.

Christian Standard Bible
Although the king regretted it, he commanded that it be granted because of his oaths and his guests.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Although the king regretted it, he commanded that it be granted because of his oaths and his guests.

American Standard Version
And 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;

Contemporary English Version
Herod was sorry for what he had said. But he did not want to break the promise he had made in front of his guests. So he ordered a guard

English Revised Version
And the king was grieved; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them which sat at meat with him, he commanded it to be given;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king regretted his promise. But because of his oath and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted.

Good News Translation
The king was sad, but because of the promise he had made in front of all his guests he gave orders that her wish be granted.

International Standard Version
Under pressure because of his promises and his assembled guests, the king ordered that it be done.

Majority Standard Bible
The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted

NET Bible
Although it grieved the king, because of his oath and the dinner guests he commanded it to be given.

New Heart English Bible
And the king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths, and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be given,

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the sake of the oath, and of them who sat with him at table, he commanded it to be given her.

Weymouth New Testament
The king was deeply vexed, yet because of his repeated oath and of the guests at his table he ordered it to be given her,

World English Bible
The king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be given,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the king was grieved, but because of the oaths and of those dining with him, he commanded [it] to be given;

Berean Literal Bible
And the king having been grieved, on account of the oaths and those reclining with him, he commanded it to be given.

Young's Literal Translation
and the king was grieved, but because of the oaths and of those reclining with him, he commanded it to be given;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king was grieved: but for his oath, and those reclining together at the table, he ordered to be given.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king was struck sad: yet because of his oath, and for them that sat with him at table, he commanded it to be given.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the king was greatly saddened. But because of his oath, and because of those who sat at table with him, he ordered it to be given.

New American Bible
The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given,

New Revised Standard Version
The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the king was very sorry; but because of the oaths and the guests, he commanded that it be given to her.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And it saddened the King, but because of the oath and the guests, he commanded that it be given to her.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And the king was grieved: but on account of his oath, and those who reclined at table with him, he commanded it to be given.

Godbey New Testament
And the king was grieved; nevertheless on account of his oaths, and those who were sitting with him, he commanded it to be given.

Haweis New Testament
And the king was grieved: but for his oath?s sake, and on account of those who were with him, he commanded it to be given her.

Mace New Testament
and the king relented: nevertheless out of regard to the oath, and to those who sat with him at table, he commanded it to be brought to her.

Weymouth New Testament
The king was deeply vexed, yet because of his repeated oath and of the guests at his table he ordered it to be given her,

Worrell New Testament
And the king, though grieved, yet, because of the oaths and of those sitting at the table with them, ordered it to be given;

Worsley New Testament
at which the king was distressed, but because of his oath, and of those who sat at table with him, he ordered it to be given her;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Beheading of John
8Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted 10and sent to have John beheaded in the prison.…

Cross References
Mark 6:26
The king was consumed with sorrow, but because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her.

Esther 1:19
So if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree, and let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti shall never again enter the presence of King Xerxes, and that her royal position shall be given to a woman better than she.

Daniel 6:14-16
As soon as the king heard this, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel, and he labored until sundown to rescue him. / Then the men approached the king together and said to him, “Remember, O king, that by the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or ordinance established by the king can be changed.” / So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!”

1 Samuel 28:10
Then Saul swore to her by the LORD: “As surely as the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this.”

Judges 11:30-31
Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand, / then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

1 Kings 19:2
So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I have not made your life like the lives of those you killed!”

2 Kings 6:31
He announced, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders through this day!”

Matthew 27:24
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”

Mark 15:15
And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

John 19:12-16
From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.” / When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew is Gabbatha. / It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” ...

Acts 12:3
And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Acts 24:27
After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

Genesis 39:19-20
When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is what your slave did to me,” he burned with anger. / So Joseph’s master took him and had him thrown into the prison where the king’s prisoners were confined. While Joseph was there in the prison,

1 Samuel 15:24
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.

2 Samuel 3:36-37
All the people took note and were pleased. In fact, everything the king did pleased them. / So on that day all the troops and all Israel were convinced that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner.


Treasury of Scripture

And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.

the king.

Matthew 14:1
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

Mark 6:14
And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

sorry.

Matthew 14:5
And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

Matthew 27:17-26
Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? …

Daniel 6:14-16
Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him…

the oath's.

Numbers 30:5-8
But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her…

Judges 11:30,31,39
And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, …

Judges 21:1,7-23
Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife…

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Account Although Commanded Deeply Dinner Distressed Grieved Guests Lying Meat Nevertheless Oath Oaths Oath's Order Ordered Reclining Repeated Request Sad Sake Sat Sorry Table Vexed
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Account Although Commanded Deeply Dinner Distressed Grieved Guests Lying Meat Nevertheless Oath Oaths Oath's Order Ordered Reclining Repeated Request Sad Sake Sat Sorry Table Vexed
Matthew 14
1. Herod's opinion of Jesus.
3. Wherefore John Baptist was beheaded.
13. Jesus departs into a solitary place,
15. where he feeds five thousand men with five loves and two fishes.
22. He walks on the sea to his disciples;
34. and landing at Gennesaret,
35. heals the sick who touch of the hem of his garment.














The king was grieved
The Greek word for "grieved" here is "λυπέω" (lypeō), which conveys a deep sense of sorrow or distress. This word choice highlights the internal conflict Herod faced. Despite his position of power, he was not immune to the pangs of conscience. Historically, Herod Antipas was known for his moral weaknesses and political maneuvering, yet this moment reveals a rare glimpse of his humanity and the weight of his decisions. This phrase reminds us that even those in authority are subject to the moral law written on their hearts, as described in Romans 2:15.

but because of his oaths
The term "oaths" in Greek is "ὅρκος" (horkos), which refers to a solemn promise or vow. In the ancient world, oaths were considered binding and sacred, often invoking divine witness. Herod's adherence to his oath, despite his personal grief, underscores the cultural and religious importance of keeping one's word. This reflects the biblical principle found in Ecclesiastes 5:4-5, which warns against making vows lightly and emphasizes the importance of fulfilling them.

and his guests
The presence of "guests" adds a layer of social pressure to Herod's decision. The Greek word "συμποσία" (symposia) refers to a gathering or banquet, often involving influential figures. In the context of Herod's court, these guests likely included dignitaries and officials whose opinions mattered greatly. This phrase highlights the human tendency to prioritize reputation and social standing over moral integrity, a theme echoed in Proverbs 29:25, which warns of the snare of fearing man over God.

he ordered that her wish be granted
The phrase "he ordered" comes from the Greek "κελεύω" (keleuō), meaning to command or give an authoritative directive. Herod's decision to grant the wish, despite his personal grief, illustrates the tragic consequences of prioritizing human oaths and social expectations over divine commandments. This moment serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising one's values for the sake of appearances or promises made under duress. It echoes the biblical call to seek God's wisdom and guidance in decision-making, as found in James 1:5.

(9) The king was sorry.--It was the last struggle of conscience. In that moment there must have come before his mind his past reverence for the prophet, the joy which had for a time accompanied the strivings of a better life, possibly the counsels of his foster-brother Manaen. Had there been only the personal influence of Herodias these might have prevailed against it, but, like most weak men, Herod feared to be thought weak. It was not so much his regard for the oath which he had taken (that, had it been taken in secret, he might have got over), but his shrinking from the taunt, or whispered jest, or contemptuous gesture of the assembled guests, if they should see him draw back from his plighted word. A false regard for public opinion, for what people will say or think of us in our own narrow circle, was in this, as in so many other instances, an incentive to guilt instead of a restraint.

Verse 9. - And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake; better, and though the king was grieved, yet for the sake of his oaths (καὶ λυπηθεὶς ὁ βασιλεὺς διὰ τὺος ὅρκους κ.τ.λ.). That he was grieved at John's death is a verbal contradiction to ver. 5, but after some weeks' or months' delay psychologically quite possible (cf. note there). Kubel attributes the change to his conscience recoiling when his wish had a sudden chance of being accomplished; or it may be that he still fearest the multitude (cf. ver. 5), and felt anxious lest he should bring about some political disturbance. Oaths; for in making the promise of ver. 7 he would certainly take more than one. And them which sat with him at meat. Had he uttered the promise and the oaths in private, it would have been different, but now there were so many witnesses. Observe that these said nothing to stop him. They were no friends of the enthusiast who was now a prisoner. He commanded it to be given her.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
The
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

king
βασιλεὺς (basileus)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 935: A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.

was grieved,
λυπηθεὶς (lypētheis)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3076: To pain, grieve, vex. From lupe; to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad.

but because of
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

[his]
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

oaths
ὅρκους (horkous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3727: An oath. From herkos; a limit, i.e. restraint.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

his guests,
συνανακειμένους (synanakeimenous)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4873: To recline at table with. From sun and anakeimai; to recline in company with.

he ordered that
ἐκέλευσεν (ekeleusen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2753: To command, order, direct, bid. From a primary kello; 'hail'; to incite by word, i.e. Order.

[her wish] be granted
δοθῆναι (dothēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.


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