Bible Strands
Matthew 14:1
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Herod the tetrarch receives news about Jesus at a specific historical moment. The narrative positions this hearing as the immediate precursor to his dialogue with his servants.
The words — ἤκουσεν (ēkousen) literally means “heard” or “received reports,” indicating official or widespread notice. τετραάρχης (tetraarchēs) denotes a subordinate ruler governing a quarter of a kingdom, defining Herod’s political rank.
The thread — This moment of political awareness parallels Luke 3:1, which dates Herod’s reign, Mark 6:14, which records his initial hearing and servant conversation, and Mark 8:15, where Jesus warns against Herod’s influence.
Why it lands — The text demands attention to the historical and political context surrounding Jesus’ ministry. It requires the reader to recognize that Jesus’ growing reputation reached secular authorities before his crucifixion.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
Cross-references
- Luke 3:1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
- Mark 6:14 Now King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
- Mark 8:15 “Watch out!” He cautioned them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.”
- Luke 9:7 When Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, he was perplexed. For some were saying that John had risen from the dead,
- Luke 23:15 Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death.
- Acts 4:27 In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed.
- Luke 23:7 And learning that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself was in Jerusalem at that time.
- Luke 3:19 But when he rebuked Herod the tetrarch regarding his brother’s wife Herodias and all the evils he had done,
- Luke 13:31 At that very hour, some Pharisees came to Jesus and told Him, “Leave this place and get away, because Herod wants to kill You.”
- Acts 12:1 About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church.