THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Herod and John: Mt 14,1-12
Matthew like Mark tells the story as a flash-back (14,3). John's was arrested before Jesus began his ministry (4,12) so that there is no over-lap between the two ministries. John was already in prison when he made his enquiry about Jesus (11,2).
Among the details removed by Matthew, he does not say clearly that Herod was giving a banquet (14,6 see Mk 6,21). The banquet theme is certainly present; verse 9 is usually translated "guests" but literally it refers to those reclining with the king. Reclining on couches was the normal mode of dining for Romans. (The Authorised Version says them which sat at meat with him.)
Also omitted is Herodias' plotting against John (Mk 6,19). Nor does the daughter ask Herodias what she should request (Mk 6,24), she makes her request encouraged by her mother (14,8). The effect is to heighten the responsiblity of Herod. The guest list is also omitted (Mk 6,21). The result is that the scene becomes one which is primarily between Herod and John.
The opening two verses of the chapter are more focused on Jesus than in Mark and he is named. Thus the mighty powers of verse 2 recall the mighty deeds of power in 13,58.
Herod is responsible for the death of John as Pilate would be for Jesus. Neither were Jews.
Just as John was arrested (14,12), so would be Jesus at Gethsemane (26,50)
Herod fears the people (14,5) who regarded John as a prophet. So later the chief priests and Pharisees fear the crowd who regard Jesus as a prophet (21,46, also 21,26)).
Herod is asked to execute John by Herodias (14,8), Pilate will be asked to put Jesus to death by the chief priests (27,1-2). Both Herod and Pilate therefore are acting on behalf of others.
Herod is reluctant to execute John (14,9) just as Pilate will be reluctant to execute Jesus (27,24)
John was buried by his disciples (14,12). So too would Jesus be (27,57).
Matthew (unlike Mark) then adds in verse 12 "and they went and told Jesus". This makes the link to the following scene.
We can now return to the main page to move on to that scene, the feeding of the crowd.