Matthew 14:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Herod wanted John dead but held back, afraid of how the people who revered John would react.
What Does Matthew 14:5 Mean?
Herod's hostility had already reached the point of wishing John dead, yet he hesitated -- not from conscience but from calculation. The crowds regarded John as a prophet, and the ruler feared their reaction more than he feared God. Public opinion, not righteousness, restrained his hand for a time.
A man can be kept from evil by fear and still have a heart bent toward it. Herod's restraint was no virtue; it merely waited for a safer moment. How different is the fear of man from the fear of God: one bends to the crowd, the other bows to the Lord. The first protects only until the pressure shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 14:5
What does Matthew 14:5 mean?
Herod wanted John dead but held back, afraid of how the people who revered John would react.