“et attulit caput ejus in disco : et dedit illud puellæ, et puella dedit matri suæ.”
“And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.”
“The man brought John’s head on a platter and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother.”
“and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother.”
“and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother.”
5. The effect of this is, (1.) That Herod's wicked court is all in triumph, because this prophet tormented them; the head is made a present of to the damsel, and by her to her mother, v. 28. (2.) That John Baptist's sacred college is all in tears; the disciples of John little thought of this; but, when they heard of it, they came, and took up the neglected corpse, and laid it in a tomb; where Herod, if he had pleased, might have found it, when he frightened himself with the fancy that John Baptist was risen from the dead.
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.