Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 14:2

2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist, he is risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

This, and the following History is related by Mark more largely, ch. 6. from v. 14. to v. 30. By Luke more shortly, Ch. 9.7, 8, 9. we heard before, that the Romans under whom the Iews now were, had altered the Government of the Iews from a Kingdom to a Tetrarchy, or Government of four. Luke telleth us who were the Tetrachs, Ch. 3.1. Herod (as we read there) was the Tetrach of Galilee. He had before this time put Iohn Baptist to death, upon what Occasion, and in what manner, we shall hear by and by. He heareth of the fame of Jesus. Luke saith, he heard of all that was done by him, and was perplexed. That some said Iohn the Baptist was risen from the dead. Others, That Elias had appeared: Others, That one of the Old Prophets was risen again. But Herod said, Iohn have I beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him. Mark saith, Ch. 6.14, That King Herod heard of him, for his Name was spread abroad. And he said▪ That Iohn the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty Works do shew forth themselves in him. Others said it was Elias: And others said, It is a Prophet, or as one of the Prophets: But when Herod heard thereof, he said. It is Iohn whom I b[illegible: 2 letters]eaded, he is risen from the dead. So as it seems tho others had var[illegible: 1 letter]ous Opinions, yet Herod was fixed in this. That this Man was Iohn the Baptist risen again from the dead: Tho Luke reports hi[illegible: 1 letter] as speaking more doubtfully (as he might do to the People) yet Luke and Mark speak him, affirming of it more confidently (probably to his Courtiers and Confidents) There was an Opinion amongst the Heathens, that the Souls of Men, and Women, when they died, went into other Bodies. Some think that Herod was infected with that, and that this is the meaning of his Suspic[illegible: 1 letter]on, that Iohn was risen from the dead: That his Soul which he had forced from his Body, was gone into another Body. So as it might be revenged on him. Or else he thought that Iohn was indeed raised from the dead (which yet by search might quickly have been known) and therefore mighty Works shewed themselves in him.

Marginal references: Or, are wrought by him.