1. Matthew 14:1 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

When exactly did Herod hear about the fame of Jesus?

Matthew 14:1 (ESV)

1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus,

In short

The phrase at that time refers to when the report of Jesus’ miracles reached Herod, some time after John’s death—the period described in the previous passage (Matthew 13:54–58).

The phrase at that time used in Matthew 14:1 refers to the moment when the report of Jesus’ miracles reached Herod. We know that this was after the death of John (see Matthew 14:2).1

These opening words of Matthew 14:1–36 point to the period when people throughout Palestine were becoming aware of the miracles performed by the Saviour—the same period that had been described in the preceding passage (Matthew 13:54–58).2