Matthew 14:2

And said unto his servants,.... Those of his household, his courtiers, with whom he more familiarly conversed; to these he expressed his fears, that it might be true what was suggested by the people,…

This is John the Baptist - Herod feared John. His conscience smote him for his crimes. He remembered that he had wickedly put him to death. He knew him to be a distinguished prophet; and he concluded…

We have here the story of John's martyrdom. Observe,

I. The occasion of relating this story here, Mat 14:1, Mat 14:2. Here is,

1. The account brought to Herod of the miracles which Christ wrought.…

he The Greek is emphatic, "he himself," "in his own person."

risen from the dead A proof that Herod did not hold the Sadducean doctrine, that there is no resurrection.

and therefore In consequence of…