Matthew 14:9 — Community Reflections

MATTHEW 14:9 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“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.”

And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. Herod's sorrow — a genuine but insufficient response — is overridden by the public obligation of the oath and the presence of his guests. The public commitment made in a moment of pleased gratification becomes the instrument of an unjust execution. The king who was sorry but who commanded it communicates the moral cowardice of political power: knowing something is wrong but doing it anyway to avoid personal embarrassment.

Church Fathers on Matthew 14:9

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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