For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and holy, and protected him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
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Cornelius a Lapide
AD 1637
For Herod was afraid of John , knowing him to be a just man and a holy. At first, therefore, it was only Herodias who wished to kill John , as the rebuker of her adultery. Herod did not assent, as Mark here signifies, and Luke ( Luke 9:7-9). But afterwards she persuaded Herod, which she did the more easily, because, as Josephus asserts, he was of a malignant disposition, and prone to cruelty; and he was incensed against John on account of his frequent reproofs. "Herodias was afraid," says Bede, lest Herod should some time or other come to a proper mind under John"s rebuke, and dissolve the marriage, and restore Herodias to his brother Philip."
Herod The sense both of the Latin and Greek text seems to be, that Herod entertained and showed a particular respect and value for John the Baptist: yet some expound it, that he had a watchful eye over him, and sought only for an occasion to take him off. (Witham)
