And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.
We have here the story of John's martyrdom. Observe, I. The occasion of relating this story here, Mat 14:1, Mat 14:2. Here is, 1. The account brought to Herod of the miracles which Christ wrought. Herod the tetrarch or chief governor of Galilee heard of the fame of Jesus.
Commenting on Matthew 14:1-12
And his disciples came,.... To the prison where his body was left, and to which they had liberty of recourse before; see Mat 11:2 and very probably, upon hearing what was done, might apply to Herod, as Joseph of Arimathea did to Pilate, for the body of Jesus; who might, as he did, give them leave to take it: and took up the body and buried it.
Verse 12. And his disciples, etc. The head was with Herodias. The body, with pious care, they buried. And went and told Jesus. This was done probably for the following reasons: (1.) It was an important event, and one particularly connected with the work of Jesus. John was the forerunner; and it was important that he should be made acquainted with his death.