Matthew 14:3 Meaning and Explanation
“For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A flashback explains how John came to be arrested: Herod had jailed him over Herodias, his brother's wife.
What Does Matthew 14:3 Mean?
The account now turns back to tell how the prophet had been seized. Herod had taken Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, as his own, and John's rebuke of that union led to his arrest. The chains were the cost of a faithful word spoken to a powerful man who did not wish to hear it.
Truth that touches a ruler's private life is dangerous to speak. John did not soften the law of God to suit the palace, and prison was the price. Faithfulness sometimes binds the faithful; the servant of God is not promised safety, only the honor of having stood for what is right. The bound prophet still preaches by his very chains.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 14:3
What does Matthew 14:3 mean?
A flashback explains how John came to be arrested: Herod had jailed him over Herodias, his brother's wife.