Bible Strands
Matthew 14:11
John’s head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Matthew narrates the immediate aftermath of Herod’s execution order, describing how the girl delivers the severed head to Herodias. The account occurs in the palace following the prison beheading.
The words — κεφαλὴ (kephalē) means head, and πινάκι (pinaki) denotes a small plate or platter. The Greek verb ἠνέχθη (ēnechthē) records the passive action of being carried or presented.
The thread — The casual brutality of the execution mirrors the cruel wrath warned in Proverbs 27:4 and the scattered judgment of Genesis 49:7. The theme of spilled blood and divine retribution reappears in Revelation 16:6.
Why it lands — The text states that a political vanity fulfills a rash oath through a child’s hands, resulting in a prophet’s burial. It requires the reader to acknowledge how unchecked jealousy and worldly power operate without regard for sacred truth.
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
And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
Cross-references
- Revelation 16:6 For they have spilled the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink, as they deserve.”
- Genesis 49:7 Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.
- Proverbs 27:4 Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
- Proverbs 29:10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.
- Jeremiah 22:17 “But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.”
- Ezekiel 16:3 and tell her that this is what the Lord GOD says to Jerusalem: Your origin and your birth were in the land of the Canaanites. Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.
- Ezekiel 19:2 and say: ‘What was your mother? A lioness among the lions! She lay down among the young lions; she reared her cubs.
- Ezekiel 35:6 therefore as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will give you over to bloodshed and it will pursue you. Since you did not hate bloodshed, it will pursue you.
- Revelation 17:6 I could see that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus. And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her.