Matthew the apostle wrote, “At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus. And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him”, and in chapter fourteen and verse three of his book, Matthew wrote how Herod, “had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison” where we read:
For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him,
and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
The verse reads, “For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, ...” Matthew began with the word, “for” which means “because, since and on account that” “Herod” or “Herod Antipas who was one of the three sons of Herod the Great, and own brother of Archelaus who ruled as ethnarch over Galilee and Perea” “had laid hold on” which means “seized, restrained and held in check” “John” or “John the Baptist”, “and bound him” which means “and tied, fastened with chains and put John in bonds”. Matthew shared how Herod “captured or arrested” John the Baptist and kept him bound with chains.
The verse continues, “... and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.” Matthew added the words, “and put him” which means “and placed, laid aside, set, fixed and established John the Baptist” “in prison” or “in guard, watch, captive and in sentinels” “for Herodias' sake” which means “because and on account the cause of Herodias whose name means heroic and was the daughter of Aristobulus and granddaughter of Herod the Great”, “his brother” or “Herod Antipas' brother” “Philip's wife” which refers to “the one whose name means lover of horses and was tetrarch of Trachonitis, was brother to Herod Antipas, by the father's, but not by the mother's side. Philip was born of Cleopatra, of Jerusalem, and Herod of Malthace, a Samaritan: he died in the twentieth year of Tiberias, five years after his mention in Luke chapter three and verse one. He built Caesarea Philippi, and His step brother Herod Antipas, married his wife unlawfully.”. Matthew shared how Herod put John the Baptist in a “guarded” prison because of the desire of Herod's wife who was formerly married to Herod's brother “Phillip”.
When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see the influence that Herod's wife “Herodias” had over him. “Herodias” was formerly married to “Phillip” who was Herod Antipas' brother, and when John spoke out against them, Herodias desired to have John killed. The enemies of Christ have been around for ages, and because righteousness is spoken by God's ministers, they often pay a price for their proclamations. John the Baptist was imprisoned because he dared to speak out against the sin of Herod and Herodias, and there are many who treat preachers of righteousness the same today. God desires to save every person through a relationship with His Son Jesus, but should they reject His offer of “salvation”, woe be to those who speak out and take action against the servants of the Lord.
Next time we see Matthew shares how John the Baptist told Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have her”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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