Bible Strands
Matthew 14:2
and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Herod the tetrarch addresses his servants after hearing reports about Jesus, identifying the executed prophet as John the Baptist and attributing current miracles to his resurrection. The speech occurs within the narrative sequence following John’s imprisonment, not immediately after his death.
The words — οὗτός ἐστιν (houtos estin) = "This is" delivers a definitive identification. ἐστιν (estin) = "is" functions as a present-tense assertion of identity.
The thread — Crowds similarly identify John the Baptist in Matthew 16:14 and Mark 8:28, while John 10:41 contrasts John’s lack of signs with his accurate witness regarding Jesus.
Why it lands — The text records Herod’s claim that John has risen and now performs miracles, presenting it as a human explanation rather than verified divine action. Readers must separate political anxiety and speculative resurrection claims from the biblical record of prophetic fulfillment.
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 said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
Cross-references
- Matthew 16:14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
- John 10:41 Many came to Him and said, “Although John never performed a sign, everything he said about this man was true.”
- Mark 8:28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
- Matthew 11:11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.