6:14 {5} And king Herod heard [of him]; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty {i} works do shew forth themselves in him.
(5) The gospel confirms the godly and vexes the wicked.
(i) The word signifies powers, by which is meant the power of working miracles.
6:14 And king Herod heard [of him]. For Herod's opinion of Christ and the death of John the Baptist, see notes on Mt 14:1-12. Compare Lu 9:7-9.
6:14 Mt 14:1; Lu 9:7.
6:14-29 Herod feared John while he lived, and feared him still more when he was dead. Herod did many of those things which John in his preaching taught him; but it is not enough to do many things, we must have respect to all the commandments. Herod respected John, till he touched him in his Herodias. Thus many love good preaching, if it keep far away from their beloved sin. But it is better that sinners persecute ministers now for faithfulness, than curse them eternally for unfaithfulness. The ways of God are unsearchable; but we may be sure he never can be at a loss to repay his servants for what they endure or lose for his sake. Death could not come so as to surprise this holy man; and the triumph of the wicked was short.
