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9. King Herod’s Fear after the Death of John the Baptist (Mark 6:14-29)
MARK 6:14-29
14 King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, “John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets.” 16 But Herod, when he heard this, said, “This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.” 17 For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her. 18 For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly. 21 Then a convenient day came, that Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23 He swore to her, “Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 She went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” She said, “The head of John the Baptizer.” 25 She came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.” 26 The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths, and of his dinner guests, he didn’t wish to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
John the Baptist was the most significant man of his time. He was greater than all prophets, for he recognized and foretold, through the Holy Spirit, that Christ would not come to destroy our world with deadly weapons, and to bring down fire from heaven on unbelievers, but he would be the meek Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of men.
John strove for God in the spirit and power of Elijah the prophet. He came to King Herod and denounced the immorality in his heart. Therefore, the king flared up and put the man of truth in a dark prison. Yet the king felt that John was an honest prophet, so he consulted him secretly about his political affairs, and did according to his advice, for his retinue had flattered him and not given him sound advice. Though the king obeyed the prophet and benefited from his advice, he did not obey him with regard to the purity of the body, and the holiness of marriage.
Herodias, who lived with the king as his wife though she was his brother’s wife, disliked John the Baptist in her heart, because of his rebuke to the king. She thought night and day of a way to get rid of this witness of God.
Therefore, when her daughter danced seductively at Herod’s birthday feast, and charmed the king, Herodias seized the opportunity to take revenge. She persuaded her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist, as her reward for pleasing the king, for Herod had promised her anything she wanted, even as much as half his kingdom.
Since he was under oath and did not want to lose face before his guests, Herod ordered John’s execution.
As such, the prophet of God was unjustly killed as a price for the adulterous king’s drunkenness, the bloody revenge in the heart of Herodias, and the seductive dance of her daughter. On first consideration, it looked as if the powers of the world were stronger than the kingdom of God. However, those who raped and extorted had always been convicted and pricked by their conscience.
When Herod heard about the works of Jesus, and the effectual preaching of his disciples, he trembled with fear. This dissolute king, who had contacts with the spirits of the dead, thought that the spirit of the slain John the Baptist had risen from the dead and dwelt in Jesus, who came now to destroy him and take the kingdom from him by force.
Power, riches, and lust do not, in fact, strengthen man, nor do they make him satisfied and secure. But truth, purity, and reconciled conscience give you peace in your sleep, and joy in your eyes. Do not covet the world or the desirable sex, but choose holiness and the active power of God in humility, for he who believes in Christ becomes conformed to his image, and lives in the peace of God forever.
PRAYER: O Lord, we thank you for the testimony of the courageous John the Baptist. Forgive our cowardliness, for we do not often call the sin of men by its name, preaching forgiveness before emphasizing repentance and return. Teach us to serve you honestly, and sanctify us that we may walk in the image of your humility, and practice your endless love. Amen.
QUESTION:
- What are the reasons for the death of John the Baptist?