Matthew 14:1 Meaning and Explanation
“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Word of Jesus' growing renown reaches Herod Antipas, the ruler over Galilee.
What Does Matthew 14:1 Mean?
The narrative shifts from the crowds and parables to the corridors of power. Herod the tetrarch -- the son of Herod the Great who ruled a quarter of his father's old territory -- now hears the reports spreading through Galilee about a teacher who heals and casts out demons. A guilty conscience, not curiosity, will color how he receives the news.
Fame travels in every direction; the question is what it stirs in the one who hears it. The same reports that draw the sick to Jesus in hope make a troubled ruler uneasy. Christ cannot be kept at the margins of a life. Sooner or later word of Him reaches even the palace, and each hearer must decide whether to seek Him or to silence the unease He brings.
Matthew 14:1 in the Original Language
tetrarches (τετράρχης), 'tetrarch' -- ruler of a fourth part, a minor client-king under Rome.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 14:1
What does Matthew 14:1 mean?
Word of Jesus' growing renown reaches Herod Antipas, the ruler over Galilee.