{A soldier of his guard} (spekoulatora). Latin word
_speculator_. A spy, scout, lookout, and often executioner. It
was used of the bodyguard of the Roman emperor and so for one of
Herod's spies. He was used to do errands of this sort and it was
soon done. It was a gruesome job, but he soon brought John's head
to the damsel, apparently in the presence of all, and she took it
to her mother. This miserable Tetrarch, the slave of Herodias,
was now the slave of his fears. He is haunted by the ghost of
John and shudders at the reports of the work of Jesus.