5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.
5 And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet.
5 Herod wanted to kill him, but he was afraid because so many people revered John as a prophet of God.
5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 14:5
Commentary on Matthew 14:1-12
(Read Matthew 14:1-12)
The terror and reproach of conscience, which Herod, like other daring offenders, could not shake off, are proofs and warnings of a future judgment, and of future misery to them. But there may be the terror of convictions, where there is not the truth of conversion. When men pretend to favour the gospel, yet live in evil, we must not favour their self-delusion, but must deliver our consciences as John did. The world may call this rudeness and blind zeal. False professors, or timid Christians, may censure it as want of civility; but the most powerful enemies can go no further than the Lord sees good to permit. Herod feared that the putting of John to death might raise a rebellion among the people, which it did not; but he never feared it might stir up his own conscience against him, which it did. Men fear being hanged for what they do not fear being damned for. And times of carnal mirth and jollity are convenient times for carrying on bad designs against God's people. Herod would profusely reward a worthless dance, while imprisonment and death were the recompence of the man of God who sought the salvation of his soul. But there was real malice to John beneath his consent, or else Herod would have found ways to get clear of his promise. When the under shepherds are smitten, the sheep need not be scattered while they have the Great Shepherd to go to. And it is better to be drawn to Christ by want and loss, than not to come to him at all.