Bible Strands
Matthew 14:3
Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Matthew narrates the background of John’s imprisonment while recounting Herod’s reaction to rumors that John had risen from the dead. The text places this event immediately after Herod’s servants attribute miraculous powers to the resurrected John.
The words — The Greek κρατήσας (kratēsas) means “having seized,” and ἔδησεν (edēsen) means “he bound,” emphasizing the physical restraint imposed on John. These terms precede the stated cause, noting the arrest occurred before the specific rebuke is recorded.
The thread — This account parallels Mark 6:17, which confirms Herod ordered the arrest and binding, and Luke 3:19, which identifies the catalyst as John’s public rebuke of Herod’s marriage to Herodias. Matthew 4:12 also notes John’s imprisonment as the trigger for Jesus’ withdrawal to Galilee.
Why it lands — The verse records the political and personal consequences of prophetic confrontation without moral commentary. It requires the reader to recognize that speaking truth to power carries immediate, tangible costs.
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
For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.
Cross-references
- Mark 6:17 For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married.
- Luke 3:19 But when he rebuked Herod the tetrarch regarding his brother’s wife Herodias and all the evils he had done,
- Matthew 4:12 When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee.
- Matthew 11:2 Meanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ, and he sent his disciples
- Mark 6:19 So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she had been unable,
- Mark 6:22 When the daughter of Herodias came and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests, and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.”
- Luke 13:1 At that time some of those present told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.
- John 3:23 Now John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because the water was plentiful there, and people kept coming to be baptized.