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Explanation for:
Matthew
14
:
8
But she being instructed before by her mother, said: Give me here in a dish the head of John the Baptist.
12
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Fearing that Herod might change his mind and rekindle his friendship with her brother Philip, as well as worried that her illegitimate marriage could be annulled, Herodias convinces her daughter to request the head of John during the banquet. This request serves as a grim reward for the trivial act of dancing."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"O Herod, what is your intention? Do not hand over the righteous to suffer at the hands of a sinner. Yet he who triumphed over Adam through the rib from which Woman was formed, likewise triumphed over Herod through the bond that marriage represents."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"But she, at her mother’s urging, declared, \\"Bring me the head of John the Baptist on a platter\\" (Matthew 14:8). This act was doubly offensive; not only for her dance but also for the reward of murder that accompanied it. Can you not perceive the inhumanity, the insensitivity, and the foolishness of Herod? He swore an oath and granted the young woman the freedom to request anything she desired. Yet when the dreadful outcome became apparent, he was filled with sorrow, as the evangelist notes, despite having initially imprisoned John himself. What is the cause of his grief? Such is the nature of righteousness! It stands out as commendable among those who are wicked. What a rage consumed Herodias! Instead of marveling at John, who shielded her from shame, she conspired to end his life, ensnaring him and seeking the gifts of darkness. The evangelist reports that Herod feared for his oath and for those who were dining with him. But how could you not fear the utmost inhumane act? If the possibility of witnesses to breaking your oath worried you, you should have been even more fearful of having so many witnesses to such a lawless murder."},{"author-name":"Hilarius of Poitiers","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88cb92f12b3278598f946_Hilarius%20of%20Poitiers.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Previously, Herod had openly expressed his intent to eliminate John, though he had hesitated due to his fear of the public, who regarded John as a prophet. Now, faced with a request to execute John, what caused Herod, who was bound by an oath, to suddenly feel sorrowful? His earlier ambition contradicts his current hesitance; the distress he experiences now stands in stark contrast to his previous feelings. Indeed, prior events followed a certain order, and now their repercussions are evident. The splendor of the law has been obscured by the indulgence stemming from disbelief. Yet individuals, aware of the goodness inherent in the law, choose to shut their eyes in the midst of indulgence, not without trepidation regarding their potential demise. They understand that they should not stray from the magnificence of the commandments; nonetheless, they are led to sin through oaths, fear of authority, the enticing allure of pleasures, and negative influences."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"She requested, Give it to me now, during the celebration. According to Mark, she expressed a desire to receive it immediately. Taking advantage of a fortuitous moment, as Mark notes (Mark 6:21): the forthcoming day was critical—specifically, when her daughter approached her inquiring what to ask for. Herodias instructed her to demand the head of John be presented to her at once during the festivities, concerned that Herod might not fully repent after this opportune moment had elapsed, and that some of his associates might not persuade him to grant John his freedom through their appeals."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Why did she specify ‘here’? She was concerned that Herod might not feel remorse later on if he regained clarity. Thus, she urged Herod, saying, ‘Hand it to me here.’"},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"She did not convey any wish to her uncle but quickly exited the banquet hall to speak with her mother, asking, \\"What should I request?\\" It is hard to fathom the wicked delight that surged within Herodias at this moment. Her response had long been prepared. The time had arrived for her to satisfy her thirst for the blood of the bold prophet! Swiftly, Herodias took the first platter from the table, placed it in her daughter's hands, and instructed her to approach Herod, proclaiming, “Let the head of John the Baptist be given to you on this dish, right here at the feast!” St. Chrysostom remarks on the horror of such a request, noting the audacity of demanding murder as a favor, unlawfully, amidst a celebration, and without any shame. Yet, the young girl complied with her mother's evil wish: she rushed to the king and, with the coldness of a thief devoid of humanity, declared, \\"Bring me the head of John the Baptist immediately on this plate.\\" St. Chrysostom points out how she has entirely lost her sense of decency, surrendering fully to the evil one. Although she is aware of John's esteemed character, she feels no shame; instead, as if requesting a simple meal, she asks for the revered and holy head to be served on a platter. She does not even provide a rationale for her request; she had none, but merely expresses her desire for a grave injustice to be committed in her honor. She did not say, \\"Bring him here and execute him,\\" as she could not bear the thought of John's courage in facing death; she feared hearing the dreadful voice of the one to be executed since John would not remain silent even in his last moments. Thus, she simply stated, “Bring it to me on a platter.” She yearned to silence that tongue! Her intention was not just to escape reproach but also to trample upon the fallen and mock him."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"\\"Give it to me right here\\": this demand is immediate, as she seeks to avoid any chance of refusal after her state of drunken pleasure has passed. - \\"On a platter\\": this refers to the tray on which the food was arranged and served. One might expect that, after hearing her mother's suggestion, the young woman would be filled with dread and horror; however, she embraces this advice, revealing her corrupted nature once again. Historically, there have been instances where kings and members of royal families requested the heads of those they condemned to death, motivated by two reasons: first, to derive malicious enjoyment from their triumph, and second, to ensure that their command was meticulously executed and that their loathed victim was permanently removed. For example, Agrippina, Nero's mother, commanded that the head of Lollia Paulina, who had offended her royal dignity, be brought to her. The head was presented to her; however, not recognizing it at first, Agrippina took it in her hands to examine it thoroughly until she confirmed that it was indeed the head of her adversary."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Filled with satisfaction over the impression she created, Salomia stepped out and inquired of her mother, who had not participated in the celebration, what she should request. Without a moment's hesitation, she knew that the most coveted gift for her would be the demise of her relentless accuser. Confident that by obtaining the head of John the Baptist, she would claim not merely a portion, but the entirety of her beloved's kingdom, she resolutely stated, “the head of John the Baptist” (Mark 6:24). Concerned that Antipas' promise to execute John might once again go unfulfilled, she urged her daughter to ask for the immediate death of the prophet and even provided a platter on which to present the severed head. Quickly, and with the platter in her grasp, Salomia entered the banquet, addressing Herod with the demand, “I want you to give me at once on this dish the head of John the Baptist.”"},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The young girl excitedly approached her mother seeking guidance, while the vengeful Herodias sarcastically uttered, \\"the head of John the Baptist.\\" Salome, clearly influenced by her mother’s animosity toward the prophet, made this gruesome demand to Herod with chilling indifference."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Salomia, uncertain about her request, sought guidance from her mother, who anticipated this moment: “She orchestrated the entire situation, out of obedience to her; her daughter was disorderly, dancing, and Herod was ensnared by her” (St. John Chrysostom). When her daughter inquired, “What should I ask for?” the wicked Herodias replied: “the head of John the Baptist.” Spurred on by her mother, Salomia quickly reentered the gathering and demanded of Herod, “I wish for the head of John the Baptist served on a platter.” She was apprehensive that, once the fervor of his passions had subsided, the ruler might regain his composure and revoke his promise; hence, she pressed for her desire to be fulfilled immediately."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"To uncover the narrative surrounding the demise of John the Baptist, we must consider several key points: Herodias was the offspring of Aristobulus, who was a son of Herod the Great from his second marriage. Following the wishes of her grandfather, she wed his other son from a third marriage, referred to by Josephus Flavius as Herod (a designation representing the family) and named Philip by the Evangelists. After the death of his father, he led a life of privacy in Jerusalem. While this first husband was still alive, and after they had a daughter named Salome, Herodias chose to leave him for Herod Antipas, another son of Herod the Great from a fourth marriage. Herod Antipas was the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, and in order to marry Herodias, he had to divorce his first legitimate wife, who was the daughter of the Arabian king Aretha. John the Baptist boldly rebuked Herod for this incestuous union, which was expressly forbidden by the law (Lev. 18:16; 20:21). \\n\\nAs noted by Josephus Flavius, Herod placed John in confinement at the fortress of Maherna, situated near the Dead Sea. Close to this fortress was the city of Julia, a preferred residence for Herod, where he often chose to live over Tiberias, which was located in Galilee. The account of John's beheading indicates that Herod was at his residence in Perea when the martyr's head was presented during a banquet. Given that the rumors surrounding Jesus had disturbed him greatly, it can be inferred that he likely resided in Julia for a significant period from the time of John's imprisonment until his execution. Therefore, it is possible that he remained unaware of Jesus until he eventually returned to Galilee following John's death. Upon his return, he discovered Galilee to be abuzz with discussions of a new prophet, Jesus, about whom various beliefs circulated among the populace, including the notion that Jesus was the resurrected John. This speculation deeply troubled Herod’s guilty conscience."}]}
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