Matthew 14:3

γὰρ implies that the following story is introduced to make the king's theory intelligible. “Risen” implies previous death, and how that came about must be told to show the psychological genesis of the theory. It is the superstitious idea of a man who has murder on his conscience. κρατήσας, etc.: fact referred to already in Matthew 4:12; Matthew 11:2; here the reason given. Of course Herod seized, bound, and imprisoned John through his agents. διὰ Ἡρωδιάδα : a woman here, as so often, the cause of the tragedy. γυναῖκα φ.: vide on Mk.