{Feared John} (ephobeito ton I(9361)n(886e)). Imperfect tense,
continual state of fear. He feared John and also Herodias.
Between the two Herod vacillated. He knew him to be righteous and
holy (dikaion kai hagion) and so innocent of any wrong. So he
{kept him safe} (sunet(8872)ei). Imperfect tense again. Late Greek
verb. From the plots and schemes of Herodias. She was another
Jezebel towards John and with Herod. {Much perplexed} (polla
(8870)orei). This the correct text not polla epoiei, did many
things. Imperfect tense again. {He heard him gladly} (h(8864)e(9373)
(886b)ouen). Imperfect tense again. This is the way that Herod
really felt when he could slip away from the meshes of Herodias.
These interviews with the Baptist down in the prison at Machaerus
during his occasional visits there braced "his jaded mind as with
a whiff of fresh air" (Swete). But then he saw Herodias again and
he was at his wits' end ((8870)orei, lose one's way, a privative
and poros, way), for he knew that he had to live with Herodias
with whom he was hopelessly entangled.