Matthew 14:7 — Community Reflections

MATTHEW 14:7 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.”

So that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. The oath to give whatever she asked is the rash promise of a man whose judgment was compromised by pleasure and public bravado. The whatever she might ask communicates the open-ended vulnerability: the promise made before an audience cannot easily be retracted without public humiliation.

Church Fathers on Matthew 14:7

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

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a reflection on this verse

No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!