Matthew 14:6

Matthew 14:6 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
• New International Version (NIV)On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much
• English Standard Version (ESV)But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod,
• New King James Version (NKJV)But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.

Context of Matthew 14:6

4for John had said to him, “It is not lawful (morally right) for you to have her [living with you as your wife].” 5Although Herod wished to have him put to death, he feared the people, for they regarded John as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, [his niece Salome], the daughter of Herodias danced [immodestly] before them and pleased and fascinated Herod, 7so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8She, being coached by her mother [Herodias], said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

Matthew 14:6 word by word

Γενεσίοις δὲ γενομένοις τοῦ Ἡρῴδου ὠρχήσατο ἡ θυγάτηρ τῆς Ἡρῳδιάδος ἐν τῷ μέσῳ καὶ ἤρεσεν τῷ Ἡρῴδῃ·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• But whenδέde · thenG1161
• Herod’sὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Herod’sἩρώδηςHērōdēs · HerodG2264
• birthdayγενέσια, γενέθλιοςgenesia · birthdayG1077
• was keptἄγωagō · to bringG71
• the daughterθυγάτηρthugatēr · daughterG2364
• of HerodiasἩρωδιάςHērōdias · HerodiasG2266
• dancedὀρχέομαιorcheomai · to danceG3738
• beforeἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• themμέσοςmesos · midstG3319
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• pleasedἀρέσκωareskō · to pleaseG700

Cross-references for Matthew 14:6

• Genesis 40:20Now on the third day, [which was] the Pharaoh’s birthday, he [released the two men from prison and] made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker [that is, presented them in public] among his servants.
• Esther 1:2in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne which was at the citadel in Susa [the capital of the Persian Empire],
• Esther 2:18Then the king held a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his officials and his servants; and he made a festival for the provinces and gave gifts in accordance with the resources of the king.
• Daniel 5:1Belshazzar the king [who was a descendant of Nebuchadnezzar] gave a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he was drinking his wine in the presence of the thousand [guests].
• Hosea 1:5On that day I will break the bow [of the military power] of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel.”
• Mark 6:21But an opportune time [finally] came [for Herodias]. Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his officials (nobles, courtiers) and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.
• Matthew 22:24saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, leaving no children, his brother as next of kin shall marry his widow, and raise children for his brother.’
• Esther 1:10On the seventh day, when the king’s heart was joyful with wine (in high spirits), he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus [as his attendants],

Commentaries on Matthew 14:6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6Herod's birth-day - Either the day in which he was born, or the day on which he began to reign; for both were termed birth-days. See 1 Samuel 13:1, and Hosea 7:5. The kings of Persia were accustomed to reject no petition that was preferred to them during the entertainment. See Herodotus in Calliope, and Esther 5:3. The daughter - danced - This was Salome, mentioned before. Danced: by a literal rendering of the saltavit of the Vulgate, in my old MS. of the…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6-12Verses 6-12 See also Mark 6:21-29. But when Herod‘s birthday was come Kings were accustomed to observe the day of their birth with much pomp, and commonly, also, by giving a feast to their principal nobility. See Genesis 40:20. Mark adds that this birthday was kept by making a supper to his “lords, high captains, and chief estates in Galilee;” that is to the chief men in office. “High captains” means, in the original, commanders of thousands, or of a…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 6Herodias's daughter was probably Salome. She would have come from Herodias' earlier marriage to Philip. Such sexually suggestive dances were common among corrupt royalty.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-12The time of this alarm of Herod Antipas appears to have been during the mission of the Twelve, and shortly after the Baptist--who had been in prison for probably more than a year--had been cruelly put to death. Herod's Theory of the Works of Christ (Mt 14:1, 2). 1. At that time Herod the tetrarch--Herod Antipas, one of the three sons of Herod the Great, and own brother of Archelaus (Mt 2:22), who ruled as ethnarch over Galilee and Perea. heard of the fame…Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 14:6

• Amusements and Worldly Pleasures
• Birthday
• Dancing
• Feasts
• Herod
• Herodias
• Jesus, the Christ
• John
• Malice
• Oath
• Persecution
• Politics
• Prisoners
• Rulers
• Women
• Worldliness

In the dictionaries

• Herodias
• Herod
• Herod, Herod Antipas
• Herod, Herod the Great
• Antipas
• Banquet
• Bid
• Birthday
• Dance
• Dead

Commentaries on Matthew 14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings