Matthew 14:11 — Community Reflections

MATTHEW 14:11 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

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

And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. The grotesque delivery of John's head on the platter to the girl who requested it and from her to her mother communicates the moral degradation of the Herodian court: the murder of a prophet becomes a birthday present. The mother who received the head received her vengeance but not her vindication — John's message about the unlawfulness of her marriage was never answered, only silenced.

Church Fathers on Matthew 14:11

The Evangelist having related John’s imprisonment, proceeds to his putting to death, saying, 'But on Herod’s birthday, the d aug hter of Herodias danced in the midst.
Gloss (Glossa Ordinaria) · medieval compilation · non occ.

We find no others keeping their birthday besides Herod and Pharaoh, that they who were alike in their wickedness might be alike in their festivities.
Jerome · 4th century

It should be known that it is customary not for rich only but for poor mothers also, to educate their d aug hters so chastely, that they are scarce so much as seen by strangers. But this unchaste woman had so brought up her d aug hter after the same manner, that she had taught her not chastity but dancing. Nor is Herod to be less blamed who forgot that his was a royal palace, but this woman made it a theatre; 'And it pleased Herod, so that he swore with an oath that he would…
Remigius · 9th century

Read all 21 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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