for John was saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to take your brother’s wife as your wife.”
This verse shows John’s prophetic faithfulness. He does not try to soften the truth in order to make it pleasing to the ruler’s ear. He clearly says that Herod’s relationship is unlawful. Here the true duty of God’s servant is seen: to speak fearlessly what God’s law requires. John was not guided by political calculation or personal safety. For him, what mattered most was remaining faithful to the Lord’s word. This is an example for spiritual ministers of every age. When sin sits on the throne of power, the truth does not stop calling it sin. These words also reveal the moral steadfastness of God’s law. It does not change according to people’s position, strength, or interests.