 The New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible Matthew 14:10
And he sent…
"An executioner", as in (Mark 6:27) where
the Latin word "speculator", or as it is sometimes written
"spiculator", is used; and is the name of an officer concerned in
executions, and particularly in beheading of persons; and so is used
by Latin writers.
``In a civil war (says F24 Seneca), a servant hid his master
that was proscribed; and when he had fitted his rings for
himself, and put on his clothes, he met "speculatoribus",
the "speculators"; he told them he desired nothing, but
that they would perform their orders, and immediately
stretched out his neck.''
And the same writer elsewhere F25 speaks of a soldier that was
condemned by Piso, on suspicion of murdering his fellow soldier;
``Who was had without the camp, and as soon as he stretched
out his neck, he, who was thought to be killed, suddenly
appeared; upon which the centurion that had the management
of the execution, ordered "speculatorem", the
"speculator", to put up his sword, and returned the
condemned person to Piso.''
The word is also used by the Jewish doctors, and in the same sense:
take the following instance among many F26.
``R. Ishmael said to R. Simeon ben Gamaliel (when they were
both apprehended, in order to be executed), brother, there
was a man ready to receive his blow, and they entreated
(rwjlqpoal) , "the speculator": one said, I am a priest, the
son of an high priest, slay me first, that I may not see
the death of my companion; and the other said to him, I am
a prince, the son of a prince, slay me first, that I may
not see the death of my companion: he replied unto them,
cast lots; and they cast lots, and the lot fell on R.
Simeon ben Gamaliel; immediately he took a sword, "and cut
off his head".''
And as this word is often used by them F1 for an executioner, so
(alwqpo) , "specula" is often made mention of by them F2, as a sort
of punishment by death: and such an officer was sent by Herod, to
inflict this punishment upon John; who accordingly executed it,
and beheaded John in the prison;
that is, of Machoeras, where he
lay, without giving him a hearing, or allowing him to speak for
himself, or with his friends: and which was done in this private
manner, partly for dispatch, and partly on account of the people;
who it might have been feared, had the execution been public and
known, would have rose and rescued him.
FOOTNOTES:
F24 De beneficiis, 1. 3. c. 25.
F25 De ira, l. 1. c. 16. Vid. Julium Firmicum, l. 8. c. 26. & Florum,
l. 4. c. 7. & Suetonium in vit. Caligul. c. 52. Octav. August. c.
74. & Claud. c. 35. Tertullian. de Corona, c. 1.
F26 Abot R. Nathan, c. 38. fol. 9. 1.
F1 Vid Targum Jon. in Gen. xxxvii. 36. & xxxix. 1. & Targ. Sheni in
Esth. v. 2. Jarchi in Exod. iv. 11. T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 108. 1. &
Gloss. in ib.
F2 Bereshit Rab. sect. 79. fol. 69. 3. Vajikra Rab. sect. 24. fol.
165. 2. & Bemidbar Rab. sect. 7. fol. 187. 4.
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Copyright Statement
The New John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Modernised and adapted for the computer by Larry Pierce of Online Bible. All Rightes Reserved, Larry Pierce, Winterbourne, Ontario.
A printed copy of this work can be ordered from: The Baptist Standard Bearer, 1 Iron Oaks Dr, Paris, AR, 72855
Bibliography Information
Gill, John. "Commentary on Matthew 14:10". "The New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible". <http://classic.studylight.org/com/geb/view.cgi?book=mt&chapter=014&verse=010>. 1999.
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