Sermons on Matthew 14:1-12:

What Do You Get For Following Jesus? - Mark 6:14-30 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2023

Herod liked to listen to John but remained perplexed instead of repenting. The great “king” became powerless before a little girl because of his bondage to lust, pride, and the idol of human approval.

Mark 6:14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-30, Matthew 14:1-12, Luke 9:7

Compassion On A Crowd - Mark 6:30-34 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2023

Jesus needed a day off. But when he saw the spiritual needs of the people, his plans went out the window.

30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 1 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." 32 So they went away ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-34, Matthew 14:12-14, Luke 9:10-11, John 6:1-2

The Ruler Must Obey The Law Of God

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 29, 2022

If a ruler does not hold God and God’s Law in the highest respect, he will ultimately fail.

Saturday of 17th Week in Course Men and women without faith in the twenty-first century are a lot like the Israelites who were hearing and yet not listening to Jeremiah five centuries before Jesus. If you have no faith in Christ, in the transcendent reality we call communion with the Trinity, you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-12, Jeremiah 26:11-16

Denomination: Catholic

Popularity Versus Godliness

Contributed by Dr. Abraham Obadare on Dec 6, 2020

The saga involving Herod, Herodias and John the Baptist suggests that we as God's children must beware of the choices we make when we need to decide between popularity and godliness.

Introduction: This text shows the actions of some people who were faced with the decisions of correcting what is wrong, repenting, and revenging in the situations they faced in life. Revealed in the saga is the competition between popularity and godliness, a dilemma that all humans beings have to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-12, Luke 9:26, Exodus 23:2, 1 Corinthians 4:2, 2 Timothy 2:25-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Preparing Your Heart For Jesus Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 17, 2020

What does true repentance look like? This message is based on John's ministry against a backdrop of political turmoil and religious oppression.

Introduction We’ve spent the last few months leading up to Christmas and the birth of Christ talking about how the world was being prepared by God religiously and geopolitically for the arrival of Christ. We saw prophetic fulfillment and covenantal fulfillment through the coming of Jesus Christ, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:4, Luke 15:7, John 1:12, Matthew 3:5, John 1:1, John 18:24-28, John 11:50, Matthew 14:1-13, Luke 1:75, Matthew 3:6, Luke 3:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

Dirty Dancing

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 27, 2019

Christ Followers can anticipate persecution from the world. However, they are called to live holy, gentle lives in the midst of a fallen world, honouring the Father through righteous lives and by inviting the lost salvation in Christ.

“When Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.’ And the king was sorry, but because ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Murder Of John The Baptist

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 29, 2020

For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. Mark 6:20.

THE MURDER OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. Matthew 14:1-12. This passage begins with Jesus, and ends with Jesus. It was inevitable that Herod Antipas should have “heard of the fame of Jesus” (Matthew 14:1). It was natural, too, that John’s disciples - like any true believer - should resort to Jesus in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mom Said: Off With His Head!

Contributed by Troy Borst on May 7, 2024

Ladies, moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters… How do you use your influence for the Lord?

MOM SAID: “OFF WITH HIS HEAD!” MATTHEW 14:1-12 #MothersDay VIDEO INTRODUCTION… https://youtu.be/P3YmUx1rM8M [45secs] INTRODUCTION… theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/apr/04/off-with-their-heads-the-10-greatest-quotes-from-alice-in-wonderland [adapted] Lewis Carroll’s children’s classic, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Memorial Day. One Gave All For Us.

Contributed by William Akehurst on May 28, 2024

Memorial Day, we remember those who gave their lives for our freedom. Living HE loved me, dying HE saved me, buried HE carried my sins far away, rising HE justified, freely forever, One Day HE’s coming, oh glorious day!

2024.05.26 Sermon Notes. Memorial Day. One Gave All for us all William Akehurst, HSWC BIG IDEA: Living HE loved me, dying HE saved me, buried HE carried my sins far away, rising HE justified, freely forever, One Day HE’s coming, oh glorious day! Memorial Day, we remember those who gave their lives ...read more

Scripture: John 14:27, John 3:16, John 15:9-13, Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 2 Timothy 3:12, Matthew 14:1-12, Acts 7:54-60, Luke 23:34, Luke 23:46, John 14:25-27, John 19:30, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 1:11-14, 2 John 1:3-5, Revelation 22:12-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Take A Stand

Contributed by Michael Cansler on Jan 28, 2026

We have to take a stand at some point in our lives? What type of stand are you taking?

Take A Stand (Matthew 14: 1-12) Nothing in this world is as important as Jesus’s Kingdom It doesn’t matter what you have accomplished here on earth How much money you have made Jesus is our king and he is king of all kings We are going to talk about John the Baptist and the vicious murder that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

A Chapter Of Murder And Miracles (Matthew 14:1-36)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on May 16, 2025

This chapter describes the death of John the Baptist by Herod and the continuing ministry of the Lord Jesus.

The fourteenth chapter of Matthew opens with the death of John the Baptist, who had been imprisoned for preaching against the wicked ruler Herod Antipas. His father, Herod the “Great” had been the “ruler” of Judea from 37 - 4 BC at the behest of Rome and the emperor Augustus Caesar (ruled from ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-14, Matthew 14:1-36

Denomination: Baptist

Just And Unjust Societies In Olden Times

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 1, 2023

Do we respect the law of God or not?

Saturday of the 17th week in Course 2023 Our OT reading today continues the narrative of the Book of Leviticus, the main tradition of the Hebrew priestly class, in a sense the memories of the tribe of Levi. We need to remember that Moses and Aaron were members of that class; we need also to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-12, Leviticus 25:1-17

Denomination: Catholic

What Do We Do When Our Loved Ones Die? Series

Contributed by Doug Warren on Jan 15, 2001

The disciples’actions when John the Baptist died offer us helpful suggestions of what to do when our loved ones die. (*appropriate for graveside service)

Intro: When John the Baptist died tragically, the disciples of Jesus exemplified what we must do today when our loved ones die. Let us notice what verse 14 says: I. THE DISCIPLES CAME 1. They stopped what they were doing, came together from various places. 2. Sadly, funerals are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:12

Denomination: Baptist

Running For Freedom - Which Way Will You Run Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 19, 2005

Why did God send Philip witness to the Eunuch? This was an important official in Ethiopia. Why not send Peter, or John or one the other apostles?

OPEN: On our vacation last month we went to Philadelphia. We took the guided tour of the city in a double-decker bus and saw various statues and parks, Betsy Ross’s home, as well as Benjamin Franklin’s grave. Our guide told us that people throw approximately $3000 in pennies on Franklin’s grave ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40, Matthew 14:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Source Of Our Peace Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Feb 12, 2004

Looking at one of Jesus’ most stressful day and understand how, in the midst of unexpected news, demands and storms, He is able to find peace and composure.

Experiencing the Peace of Jesus - Jesus Under Pressure It’s Sunday. Sundays are always busy days for me. Sundays are always early days for me. Today promised to be no exception. With a full slate of activities planned, I got up early and drove to church. There was not much traffic at 6:00 A.M. I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:12-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible