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 {n} gladly.

(n) The tyrant was very well content to hear sentence pronounced against himself, but the seed fell upon stony places.

People's New Testament

6:20 Herod feared John. Was in awe of him as a holy man, and feared the indignation of the people if he slew him.

Wesley's Notes

6:20 And preserved him - Against all the malice and contrivances of Herodias. And when he heard him - Probably sending for him, at times, during his imprisonment, which continued a year and a half. He heard him gladly - Delusive joy! While Herodias lay in his bosom.

King James Translators' Notes

observed him: or, kept him, or, saved him

Scofield Reference Notes

Margin and observed

kept him safely, and, hearing him, did many things, hearing him gladly.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

20. For Herod feared John-but, as Bengel notes, John feared not Herod.

knowing that he was a just man and an holy-Compare the case of Elijah with Ahab, after the murder of Naboth (1Ki 21:20).

and observed him-rather, as in the Margin, "kept" or "saved him"; that is, from the wicked designs of Herodias, who had been watching for some pretext to get Herod entangled and committed to despatch him.

and when he heard him, he did many things-many good things under the influence of the Baptist on his conscience.

and heard him gladly-a striking statement this, for which we are indebted to our graphic Evangelist alone, illustrating the working of contrary principles in the slaves of passion. But this only shows how far Herodias must have wrought upon him, as Jezebel upon Ahab, that he should at length agree to what his awakened conscience kept him long from executing.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

6:14-29 Herod feared John while he lived, and feared him still more when he was dead. Herod did many of those things which John in his preaching taught him; but it is not enough to do many things, we must have respect to all the commandments. Herod respected John, till he touched him in his Herodias. Thus many love good preaching, if it keep far away from their beloved sin. But it is better that sinners persecute ministers now for faithfulness, than curse them eternally for unfaithfulness. The ways of God are unsearchable; but we may be sure he never can be at a loss to repay his servants for what they endure or lose for his sake. Death could not come so as to surprise this holy man; and the triumph of the wicked was short.