Definition: And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded [it] to be given [her].

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Matthew 14:9. It’s a really strange and dramatic story! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: Jesus was healing a man with a large, painful ailment (it’s implied he was suffering terribly). As he was doing this, the Devil tried to stop him. The Devil offered Jesus a bribe – a promise of power and riches – in exchange for Jesus not turning away from the man. What happened next? Jesus refused the Devil's offer. He then commanded the Devil to give the woman (who was also afflicted) a special kind of “gift” – a magical, powerful potion that would make her appear young again. This is where it gets really weird and symbolic. Simple Explanation: "And the king was sorry..." : This tells us the King (representing the authority or power of God) was upset because he saw this action as being against his divine will. "...yet for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat..." : This is a complicated phrase that means “because of promises made to God.” It’s referencing a set of ancient Jewish laws – oaths and agreements – that were part of a ritual involving sacrifices and offerings. "...he commanded [it] to be given her." : The Devil, through the magic potion, tricked Jesus into giving this woman a special, powerful potion. The Significance (Symbolic Meaning): This story is a powerful metaphor for: Free Will vs. Divine Command: It’s about the tension between our own desires and what God wants to happen. Jesus chose to follow God's will, even when it meant facing potential punishment or loss of power. The Temptation to Compromise: The Devil represents temptation – offering something that seems good on the surface but ultimately harms us. Jesus’ refusal shows his unwavering commitment to doing what is right. In short, this passage describes a moment where Jesus made a difficult choice – prioritizing God's will over personal gain – and it highlights the struggle between temptation and obedience. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Discuss what this story might symbolize in a broader context (like the battle between good and evil)?