Bible Strands
Matthew 14:9
The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Herod hears Salome’s demand for John the Baptist’s head on a platter and immediately issues a command. The moment occurs during a banquet where the king faces direct pressure from his seated guests.
The words — λυπηθεὶς (lupētheis) translates to “being grieved” or “reluctant,” describing the king’s internal resistance. ὅρκους (horkous) means “oaths,” referring to the binding promises he made publicly before his guests.
The thread — The conflict between reluctant compliance and public pressure mirrors Pilate’s struggle in John 19:12. The consequences of binding vows appear in Judges 11:30 and Numbers 30:5.
Why it lands — The text states that the king granted the request solely to satisfy his oaths and guests, despite his reluctance. It requires readers to examine how public reputation can compel actions that contradict personal conviction.
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 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.
Cross-references
- John 19:12 From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”
- Numbers 30:5 But if her father prohibits her on the day he hears about it, then none of the vows or pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand. The LORD will absolve her because her father has prohibited her.
- Judges 11:30 Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand,
- Judges 11:39 After two months, she returned to her father, and he did to her as he had vowed. And she had never had relations with a man. So it has become a custom in Israel
- Judges 21:1 Now the men of Israel had sworn an oath at Mizpah, saying, “Not one of us will give his daughter in marriage to a Benjamite.”
- Judges 21:7 What should we do about wives for the survivors, since we have sworn by the LORD not to give them our daughters in marriage?”
- 1 Samuel 14:24 Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food.
- 1 Samuel 14:28 Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the troops with a solemn oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food today.’ That is why the people are faint.”
- 1 Samuel 14:39 As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan, he must die!” But not one of the troops said a word.
- 1 Samuel 25:22 May God punish David, and ever so severely, if I let one male belonging to Nabal survive until morning.”