New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 14:4

Bread on the Hillside

because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Matthew 14:4 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Matthew 14:4, in plain English

John had been telling Herod plainly that his marriage was wrong in God's eyes. John didn't soften the truth for anyone, even a king.

Why it's here

It takes real courage to speak truth to someone who has power over you. John valued God's law more than his own safety.

Who's speaking

John the Baptist is the one who spoke these bold words to Herod.

Where it sits in the story

John's bold confrontation is what landed him in prison. He chose faithfulness to God over self-preservation.

A Closer Look

The scholar's commentary

John's rebuke used the phrase ouk exestin ('it is not lawful'), a direct appeal to Mosaic law. His prophetic role demanded confrontation with the ruler's moral failure.

Language and setting

John stands in the tradition of Old Testament prophets like Nathan (2 Samuel 12) who confronted kings. The imperfect tense (elegen) suggests John confronted Herod repeatedly.

Voice

John the Baptist is quoted, rebuking Herod for his unlawful marriage.

Significance

John fulfills the classic prophetic role of speaking uncomfortable truths to those in power, regardless of personal cost.

In context

Matthew 14:2–6

2and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

3Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,

4because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

5Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.

6On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod

Read all of Matthew 14 — A king's guilty banquet ends with a prophet's head on a platter. Hours later, Jesus feeds thousands and walks on water through the night.

Understand every verse, not just this one

This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.

Get BibleKey

In the App

What's in the app that isn't here.

Seven translations

NIV, NLT, NKJV, KJV and the Berean — plus the Catholic NLT-CE and Douay-Rheims, with the full deuterocanon in the reading order.

Every verse, as you read

Tap any of the 31,102 for what it means, and any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, without leaving the chapter.

Selah

Start recording at church and put your phone away. You get the transcript, the key moments, and every verse referenced.

Prayer Maker

Say what's sitting on your heart and hear it back as a real prayer, in a warm voice. Keep the ones that land.

Every Word

The whole Bible in a year — five chapters a day, five days a week, weekends off. Built to be finished.

Today's Light

A verse each morning with its meaning, how it lands today, something to sit with, and a prayer to close it.

Understand every verse.

Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.

Download on the App Store

Free on iPhone & iPad