Jerome

We read in Roman history, that Flaminius, a Roman general, sitting at supper with his mistress, on her saying that she had never seen a man beheaded, gave permission that a man under sentence for a capital crime should be brought in and beheaded during the entertainment. For this he was expelled the senate by the censors, because he had mingled feasting with blood, and had employed death, though of a criminal, for the amusement of another, causing murder and enjoyment to be joined together. …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then the consequences of the beheading are set forth. And first the fulfillment of the promise is set forth; secondly, the burial. He says therefore and his head was brought in a dish. And in this Herod was blameworthy, because he exercised cruelty amid his pleasures: hence it is said that a certain governor loved a certain courtesan, and when she was in his lap, she said that she had never seen a man killed. …

Commentary on Matthew ↗