Matthew 14:7

7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

Matthew 14:7 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 14:7

Whereupon he promised with an oath
On account of her fine dancing, and being extremely pleased with it himself; and the more, that it gave such pleasure to the whole court: he first promised her,

to give her whatsoever she would ask;
and then repeating it, he confirmed it with an oath; adding, as Mark says, that he would give it her, even "to the half of his kingdom": a way of speaking used by princes, when they give full power to persons to ask what they will of them; and to express their great munificence and liberality; signifying, let it be ever so great, or cost what it will, though as much as half a kingdom comes to, it shall be granted; see ( Esther 5:3 Esther 5:6 ) . A very foolish promise, and a rash oath these, which were made upon such a consideration, as only a fine dance. If she, as Theophylact observes, had asked for his head, would he have given it her? And if he swore by his head, which was a common form of swearing with the Jews ^F21, she very appropriately, though unjustly, as Dr. Lightfoot observes, answers to him; as you have swore by your head, give me John Baptist's head.

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 Misn. Sanhedrim, c. 3. sect 2. T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 3. 1. Derech Eretz, c. 6. fol. 18. 2.

Matthew 14:7 In-Context

5 And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet.

6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod,

7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter. ”

9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given.