Commentaries on Gospel Events
His Courage
c. A. D. 25-27
The commentators seem unanimous in condemning Herod for making good on his rash vow to his step-daughter.
It would be interesting to see if they were as united in condemning Jephtah for making good his rash vow to God.
I have heard it preached that all vows to God should be kept, even rash ones. My opinion is that if to carry out a rash vow requires a sinful act against another person, we are between a rock and a hard place; we should choose not to harm the other person and willingly suffer the penalty for the unfulfilled vow.
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Matthew |
Luke |
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Mat 14:4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.Mat 14:5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.Mat 14:6 But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.Mat 14:7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.Mat 14:8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.Mat 14:9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.Mat 14:10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.Mat 14:11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.Mat 14:12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. |
Luk 3:19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,Luk 3:20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison. |