“sed misso spiculatore præcepit afferri caput ejus in disco. Et decollavit eum in carcere,”
“And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, an: or, one of his guard”
“So without delay, the king commanded that John’s head be brought in. He sent an executioner, who went and beheaded him in the prison.”
“Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison,”
“And straightway the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring his head: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,”
Note, 1. Where there is an idle faith, there is commonly a working fancy. The people said, It is a prophet risen from the dead; Herod said, It is John Baptist risen from the dead. It seems by this, that the rising of a prophet from the dead, to do mighty works, was a thing expected, and was thought neither impossible nor improbable, and it was now readily suspected when it was not true; but afterward, when it was true concerning Christ, and a truth undeniably evidenced, yet then it was obstinately gainsaid and denied. Those who most wilfully disbelieve the truth, are commonly most credulous of errors and fancies.
Verses 14-29 Herod feared John while he lived, and feared him still more when he was dead. Herod did many of those things which John in his preaching taught him; but it is not enough to do many things, we must have respect to all the commandments. Herod respected John, till he touched him in his Herodias. Thus many love good preaching, if it keep far away from their beloved sin. But it is better that sinners persecute ministers now for faithfulness, than curse them eternally for unfaithfulness. The ways of God are unsearchable; but we may be sure he never can be at a loss to repay his servants for what they endure or lose for his sake. Death could not come so as to surprise this holy man; and the triumph of the wicked was short.