Matthew 14:4

Arabic SVD 1865 Version (Smith and Van Dyke)

لان يوحنا كان يقول له لا يحل ان تكون لك.

What Does This Mean?

In this verse from Matthew 14:4, John the Baptist is speaking to Herod Antipas, telling him that it's not right for him to have Herodias because she was married to his brother. This shows John's boldness in calling out injustice.

Explained for Children

Imagine if your friend had a toy that really belonged to someone else. John the Baptist is like a friend who tells another friend, 'Hey, it's not right for you to have this toy.' He's just being honest and doing what he thinks is right.

Historical Background

The Gospel of Matthew was written around AD 80-90 by an author believed to be one of Jesus' disciples. This passage reflects the tumultuous political and religious environment in Judea, where Herod Antipas ruled as a client king under Roman control.

Living It Out Today

Today, we might apply this principle when seeing someone misuse power or property that doesn't rightly belong to them. For example, if you see a coworker taking credit for another's work, speaking up truthfully, like John did with Herod, can help right the wrong.

Topics

• justice
• moral integrity
• leadership
• forgiveness
• truth-telling
• honesty

Related Verses

• Exodus 20:14
• Proverbs 6:30-35
• Mark 6:18
• Luke 3:19
• Romans 13:1-7

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did John the Baptist confront Herod Antipas about his marriage to Herodias?

John was concerned with moral integrity. He believed that it was wrong for Herod to have Herodias, who had been married to his brother.

What can we learn from John the Baptist's boldness in this verse?

We can learn about standing up for what is right, even if it means confronting those in power. John showed that truth-telling and moral courage are important.

How does this verse apply to our modern relationships with authority figures?

It teaches us to speak up when we see wrongdoing by people in positions of power, provided we do so respectfully and with a clear conscience.

What were the consequences for John the Baptist after he spoke out?

John was imprisoned because Herod Antipas did not like being confronted about his wrongdoings. Eventually, this led to John's execution.