Jesus’ teaching and the miracles He performed were a source of controversy. People were divided about where His power came from. They were confused about who Jesus was. The common people were not the only ones who were confused. There was a king who had a special reason to wonder who Jesus might be – and to fear. In chapter 6, verses 14 through 29 of the Gospel which bears his name, Mark writes, “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.” But others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets.” But Herod, when he heard this, said, “This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.” 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. For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t, 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. 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. 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.” He swore to her, “Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” She went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” She said, “The head of John the Baptizer.” 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.” The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths, and of his dinner guests, he didn’t wish to refuse her. 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, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.”
This Herod was the son of the Herod who murdered the children of Bethlehem shortly after Jesus’ birth. He followed his father’s example by dealing unfaithfully with his wife and, then, murdering the innocent. However, there is always a price to pay for sin. Many evil doers live in fear of retribution. When Herod heard about Jesus’ miracles he wondered whether John the Baptist had come back from the dead to haunt him.
It is unlikely that Herod would have bothered John the Baptist if John had not denounced Herod’s marriage to his own niece and sister-in-law. To marry a brother’s wife while he was still living was a clear violation of the Law of Moses. Leviticus 20:21 says, “If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity; he has dishonored his brother…” (NIV)
From this we learn that even kings and high officials are not exempt from living according to God’s standards. In fact, Scripture teaches that it is the responsibility of leaders to set an example of godly living.
Another thing we learn is that we have the responsibility to speak the truth regardless of the status of the other person. Leviticus 19:15 says, “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” (NIV) Sometimes speaking the truth results in trouble. It cost John his freedom. The question is whether we are willing to pay the price for proclaiming righteousness.
Even though Herod imprisoned John, he still protected him from the rage of Herodias – the woman he had unlawfully married. Herod did this because he knew John was a righteous man and feared him. It is worth noting that wicked people fear the righteous, but the righteous have no need to fear the wicked. Later, the Apostle Paul was to write, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39 NIV)
It is also interesting to note that though Herod liked to listen to John, the things he heard from John puzzled him. He could not understand them. It is always this way with those live for pleasure rather than seek the things of God. Scripture says, “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV)
The opportunity for revenge came at Herod’s birthday party. Herod was so pleased by Herodias’ daughter’s dance that Herod vowed to give the girl anything she wanted up to half the kingdom. It seems incredible that a ruler would be so foolish as to vow such a thing. However, those who will not be governed by God’s standards often are governed by their own sensualism.
When the girl asked her mother what she should ask for, Herodias told her to ask for John the Baptist’s head. It seems incredible that a young woman would be so callous and unfeeling that she would agree. However, there is no indication that the girl even hesitated. In fact, she even treated it as a joke. She demanded John’s head on a platter – as if it were another delicacy to be served to the guests at the feast. What about us? Do we value human life – or do we find amusement in the death of others?
It would have been easy for Herod to refuse. He could have pointed out that John’s head was worth far more than half his kingdom. But even though he was distressed, Herod gave the order. He did not wish to look foolish in front of his dinner guests. And so, he added to his guilt by committing a crime against and innocent man in order not to lose face. How often do we allow our pride to drive us to do foolish or ungodly things?