For Herod was afraid of John, because he knew him as a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. and when he listened to him, he did many things, and he listened to him gladly.
This verse reveals Herod’s inner divided condition. On the one hand he was living a sinful life and had imprisoned John, and on the other hand he recognized that John is a righteous and holy man. He feared him not only as a figure respected by the people, but also because of his conscience, and at the same time he honored him as a righteous and holy man. John’s person and word had an influence on him. He listened to him with pleasure and was perplexed about many things. This perplexity shows the condition of the human heart when it recognizes the truth yet does not accept it humbly. A person can love the truth, listen to it, admire its power, and still not let go of his sin. Herod was exactly such a man. In him there was a certain respect for holiness, but there was no will broken by repentance. This is a great warning, because it is possible to love the preaching, respect the preacher, and at the same time perish if the heart does not turn to God.