Mark 6:14-29 "The Beheading of John The Baptist"

Good morning Calvary Chapel Lake City!

Thank you Diane for the Hillybilly Hotdogs idea! We’re also looking for someone who can play the fiddle and lead us in some line dances like the Two-Step.

It’s gonna be a real hoe down!

Well… let’s turn in our Bibles to Mark 6. Mark 6:14-29 today.

We left off were Jesus had returned to his hometown of Nazareth… for the second time… and they rejected Him again.

It’s amazing He returned at all because the first time they tried to throw Him off a cliff, but God graciously pursues us…

The second time He returned… He marveled at their unbelief…

… as their wrath turned to indifference.

And Jesus could do no mighty work there, except… He healed a few sick people.

Jesus then travelled around to the nearby villages teaching and sent His Twelve disciples out “two-by-two” to preach, cast out demons, and heal people.

Giving them a special empowering of the Holy Spirit… on this short-term missions trip… which was focused on proclaiming the Gospel…

… which was verified through miraculous signs and wonders.

And, since no servant is above their master, Jesus also warned them of possible rejection…

But to not let this detract from the mission… they were to shake off the dust under their feet… and press on.

It’s so important in the day in which we live… with growing hostility to Jesus… and teaching the word… that we not lose sight of the mission to make disciples by going, baptizing, and teaching… just as Jesus instructed when He gave the Great Commission in Matt 28:19-20.

Well, today… we encounter a parenthetical in the mission of Jesus.

The Disciples had been sent out… and will return later in V30, but today we see a rather detailed account of “The Beheading of John the Baptist” which is our sermon title today.

It’s interesting that our gospel writer Mark provides this much detail, because Mark typically gave quick snapshots of the life of Christ.

John’s end is recorded in all three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), but no writer gave as much detail as Mark.

Let’s pray and then take a look at the tragic end of the greatest of the OT prophets.

Mark 6:14-15 “Now King Herod heard of Him, [speaking about Jesus] for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” 15 Others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.”

Let’s pause here for a moment to understand the Herods.

The name Herod means “son of a hero” and there were 4 Herods who served as king, and at least 7 Herods altogether plus Herodias.

Today, front and center is Herod Antipas… the son of Herod the Great… and Herodias.

The parallel accounts in Matthew and Luke identify our Herod in Mark 6… as Herod the tetrarch… which was his title.

So, we know this is not Herod the Great, but one of his sons.

Herod the Great ruled over a unified kingdom, but when he died,… his kingdom was divided.

Tetrarch refers to the fourth part of a province… and Herod’s kingdom was divided into tetrarchies among his sons.

And, if you feel like you come from a messed up family… even a quick study into the family history of the Herods should make you feel much better.

Because they put the “D” in Dysfunctional.

Murder… incest… betrayal… greed… the list is long.

Herod the Great was the son of a high-ranking official in the Hasmonean dynasty, and was known for many things…

From 37-27 B.C.- His ability to pacify the Jews, collect taxes and quell uprisings impressed Rome and earned him a seat at the table.

From 27-13 B.C.- He probably earned the title “Great” as he brought peace and prosperity… rebuilt forts, began rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem… many of the archeological sites in Israel were credited to Herod the Great… Masada, Caesarea Maritima, the Temple mount, the Herodium, the Antonia Fortress… to name a few…

But at the end of his life, from 13-4 B.C.- He was known for instability and domestic issues with his 10 wives and 15 children.

He became a paranoid tyrant…

His first and favorite wife, Mariamme, he had her parents killed (you thought your son-in-law was difficult), and then he had Mariamme killed... and then he killed his two sons by Mariamme, Alexander and Aristobulus… over rumors they wanted his throne.

Augustus said, “It's better to be Herod's pig than his son”

Because while Herod was Idumean… descendants of Esau… Edomites… the region South of Judea… who are NOT Jews…

He married a Jewess… and performed many acts to win the favor of the Jews… and even was called the “king of the Jews” (minus the true power of a king, as this title was not official by Rome, but only a local custom)…

But, with all the Jesish influence in his life… “Pork, an unclean animal, certainly was not for dinner.”

Thus, if Herod did have a pig… it’s life was more secure than his own progeny.

This is the same Herod of the nativity narrative… who was so paranoid over losing his kingdom… that when the wise men came asking where is He who has been born King of the Jews… we have seen His star and come to worship him…

This unsettled Herod, who was known as the king of the Jews… and he slaughtered all the male children under two in Bethlehem and surrounding villages.

What kind of deranged psychopath does this?

And, when he died… he divided his land to three of his sons, and Herod Antipas (a son of his sixth wife, Malthace)… the Herod of Mark 6… he became the Tetrarch of Galilee from 4 B.C. to 39 A.D.

Which was a huge point of contention, because in the original will Antipas was named as the sole heir. Josephus records Antipas and Archelaus both travelled to Rome to contest the will, but Caesar Augustus upheld Herod the Great’s last wishes.

And, you can just imagine with the upbringing Antipas had… it’s no wonder we see some of the poor choices he makes as well.

Antipas turns out to be more temperate than his father, but he is still known for the beheading of John the Baptist.

We will see Antipas appear in the New Testament more frequently than any of the other Herods.

Besides here with John the Baptist… he is also the Herod whom Jesus stands before during the trials prior to His crucifixion.

It was also Herod Antipas who some Pharisees in Luke 13… warned Jesus about saying, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.”

And, Jesus responded with a message for Antipas labeling him a “fox.” … “Go, tell that fox...”

Which could be an indicator of shrewdness or or insignificance as seen in Neh 4:3 where the Jews were mocked with, “Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall.”

So, it would seem that Jesus did not think much of Antipas.

So, that’s the king Herod mentioned here in V14…

And… Antipas heard of Jesus “and he was perplexed” (according to Luke)…

Many people were talking about Jesus and His mighty works and teachings… and His boldness…

V14 says “His name had become well known...”

But, what led Herod to be perplexed was people had different theories as to who Jesus was…

In the minds of most… He had been elevated to the level of a prophet, but the debate was which prophet.

Herod thought, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”

And, according to Matthew, Herod was going around telling his servants Jesus was John back from the dead.

And, we’ll see in a moment that for Herod his incorrect perception stems from his mind being plagued over his part in the death of John.

But, beyond Herod, people my have confused John and Jesus because they both had a ministry of calling people to repentance…

And, both were bold in calling out the Pharisees.

But, John was NOT Jesus… he was Jesus’ cousin… he was the forerunner to Jesus… and even pointed his own disciples to the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Plus John was very different from Jesus in that John was never recorded doing miracles.

Others likened Jesus to Elijah… who certainly demonstrated miraculous power in his ministry…

He stopped the rain for 3.5 years & later started rain… he multiplied the oil… brought a boy back to life… brought fire down on Ahab’s soldiers and later on the altar… he split the Jordan…

Many miracles were present in Elijah’s ministry.

But, Elijah lived about 900 years prior to Jesus, so why on earth would people think Jesus was Elijah…

Well… it was foretold in Malachi 3:1 and Mal 4:5-6 that Elijah would return.

Plus… John the Baptist’s disciples referred to Jesus as the “Coming One”… surely a Messianic title, but similar language to Mal 3:1.

So, one could understand why people thought Jesus was Elijah, but this was in error as well.

Finally, people also said, “It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.”

Were they thinking Jesus was just any old prophet… which would be a downgrade in thought… and certainly incorrect.

OR… did they have Deut 18:15 in mind? “The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear...”

Who was a foretelling of the ultimate Prophet… Jesus Christ.

When Peter preached in Acts 3, when the number of disciples came to be about 5,000 men…

Peter connected the verse in Deut 18:15 as fulfilled by Jesus… as Jesus is both a Deliverer and Judge… like Moses… and was raised up by God.

And, this could be the only possible right way for the people to think about Jesus.

Sometime after this, Jesus leads His disciples to Caesarea Philippi… a dark place where there was much idol worship and temples to false gods…

And, in Matt 16:13-16, with that backdrop… Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Back then, and still today… there are many ways people think about Jesus… and most of them are incorrect.

To think of Him as a great teacher, or just a prophet… or a historical figure… these all fall short.

There are many people in the world who do not have a relationship with Jesus… and are being drawn by the Holy Spirit to Jesus…

But, one must come to the same place Peter did to understand Jesus is the Christ… the Messiah… the Anointed One… The Savior…

The Son of the living God… which is the same as God in Jewish reckoning.

Anything less falls short.

And, what an amazing privilege and calling we have… to be called to represent Him to the world… to be His ambassadors.

2 Cor 5:20-21 states, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

That same passage states He has given us the “ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

There are many thoughts about who Jesus is, but only one way to accurately represent Him…

And we do it with how our life is observed, as Jesus taught in Matt 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Light is seen, not heard…

But, there are also times to use our words, as Rom 10:14 states, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”

Sharing the Gospel requires words.

And, that is our part. What a person does with the Gospel message is on them.

We have to be faithful to live right and share the Gospel.

Now, Herod Antipas was one of those who had several opportunities to come to Jesus, but he did not do his part.

He would hear about Jesus from John, but he ultimately killed John… and he would be plagued for this murderous action.

Take a look at VSS 16-20…

All the speculations about who Jesus was were circulating… and then we read…

Mark 6:16-20 “But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!” 17 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. 18 Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.”

In V16,we read almost a repeat of V14 how king Herod is convinced that Jesus is John the Baptist… almost come back to haunt him from the dead…

Because Herod ordered the death of John by beheading.

Which is an almost ironic death because in V17, Mark details that Herod “bound him in prison”…

And the name of that prison, according to Josephus… was Machaerus which means sword in Gk.

So, at the prison named sword, a sword removed John’s head.

Josephus… who was a Jewish Historian, not a Biblical author testified of John the Baptist… his imprisonment… and death by Herod.

And when historical books corroborate with the Bible, they serve as a testimony to the veracity… the truth of the Bible.

I have a map which shows you the present day location of this prison fortress… on the East side of the Dead Sea in modern day Jordan.

On the next slide, you can see the ruins of Machaerus… which is important because the archaeological evidence proves this cite existed…

Like historical books… another way to know your Bible is true is archeological evidence.

This is one of the greatest flaws with Mormonism… the Book of Mormon lacks archaeological evidence to prove it’s cities existed.

One last slide… this is an artist’s recreation of Fortress Machaerus… where Herod Antipas had John brought to… and bound…

And, why did Herod imprison John??? V17-18…

“… for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. 18 Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

There was a messed up situation in the ruling house of Judea… and no one was calling a spade a spade… except for John…

Herodias… was a Herod who married two other Herods… Herod Philip and Herod Antipas.

Herod Philip, Herod Antipas, and Aristobulus (Herodias’ Dad) ALL were sons of Herod the Great…

Same father… but three different mothers… so they were all half brothers…

And, Herodias was Herod Philip and Herod Antipas’ half-niece…

It’s bad enough that a brother stole his brother’s wife, but the whole Uncle/ Niece complexity adds gross to wrong.

And, John called the king out… John had the boldness to say what everyone else was thinking … and no one else was bold enough to confront the king.

Because they knew it might be their head on a platter.

And, I think we could take a lesson in boldness from John the Baptist. John called Sin- Sin.

It cost him his head, but he spoke against this wrong doing.

There may come a day when censorship becomes so thick that you and I… we’re going to need to make a choice…

Will you still speak truth, even if it costs you dearly?

I would hide the boldness of John the Baptist in your heart.

During the Tribulation, anyone not raptured… who enters the 7 year tribulation, but then realizes the truth of Jesus Christ, and gets saved… they would do well to remember the boldness of John the Baptist… because they’ll need it…

During that awful time of Jacob’s trouble, the anti-Christ will require his mark for commerce and in worship…

Rev 13:15 reads, “He [the False Prophet] was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast [Anti-Christ], that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.”

In that time… the mark of the beast is directly connected with the worship of Anti-Christ… and the following verse states…

“...and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

In order to use money… one must worship Anti-Christ and receive his mark on their body during the tribulation.

And, those who refuse… meet the same fate at John the Baptist…

Rev 20:4 reads… “Then I [John] saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”

These are the Martyred Saints… they will have the boldness of John the Baptist… to refuse sin… to sacrifice the niceties of life and refuse to follow the masses in the worship of the ungodly.

Hide the boldness of John the Baptist in your heart…

I do not expect to see the tribulation, but like a woman in the travail of birth pangs… I believe difficulties will grow in intensity and frequency… Things will grow worse… and we will need that boldness of John… and we need it now… to be able to speak hard truths in love.

To be salt in the world… to be a preservative like salt… we need the boldness of John… and God gives us His Holy Spirit to empower us to do so.

But, a day is coming… a day in 1 Thess called the “coming of the Lord…” and this is why I believe we will not see the tribulation.

1 Thess 4:16-18 states “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. [Likely during the fall Feast of Trumpets… maybe this is the year?] And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up [Gk. harpazō… Latin rapturo.... English raptured] together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

Why should we comfort one another with these words? …

1 Thess 5:9-11 explains “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

The Tribulation is NOT for saved believers who accept Jesus Christ prior to His pouring out wrath during the Tribulation.

It’s the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble”… it’s to fulfill Israel’s final week of 70 weeks.

It’s not comforting to go half way through the tribulation… or to be a post toasty… if you follow what I’m saying…

But, all that eschatology aside… we need the boldness of John NOW.

At the conclusion of the Parable of the Unjust Judge we read… “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

I say “YES”… YES… He will find faith… there remains a faithful Remnant… I HAVE FAITH… and I KNOW many of YOU have FAITH…

But, if you are lacking in the faith to follow God… even through the hard times… I encourage you to put aside whatever is distracting you and pray for the Boldness of John… and for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

There are many times I’m preparing a sermon and I sit back amazed at the direction the Holy Spirit led me… I did not envision speaking about end times with this passage…

But, the Lord knows… and He gives us what we need…

Well… back in Mark… John the Baptist spoke boldly against the sin of Herod Antipas marrying His brother’s wife… and niece… Herodias…

And, what is the response of Herod and Herodias?

For Herodias, it seems clear in V19 that she held a deep grudge. In fact, the words “held it against” in V19… is one Gk word ĕnĕchō meaning “to be entangled or ensnared… in a hostile manner.”

Herodias was bitter… so deeply that she wanted to kill John the Baptist.

I imagine her pride was hurt… and in her lust for power (which is a historical reason she got with Antipas… to be called “queen”)… she decides she will kill John one way or another.

There’s an exhortation for believers to beware of bitterness is…

Heb 12:14–15 “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled...”

Has there been someone who has caused such deep hurt… such deep harm in your life… and bitterness festers in your heart?

There are ways to pursue peace, and please reach out if you want to start that journey of peace.

Herodias, though… she let her bitterness eat her up inside…

And, a root of bitterness did spring up… and did cause trouble… and she was defiled… which means stained…

She would be dishonored in life… ultimately exiled to Gaul along with her husband… and her name is tarnished eternally in scripture.

Beware of bitterness… pursue peace…

For Herod Antipas… his response was mixed…

Initially, he seems outraged.

Matt 14:5 states, “And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.”

Like Herodias, Antipas wanted to put John to death…

But instead he put John in prison “for the sake of Herodias”… Mark states.

It seems like Herod just wants to please everyone… he takes action against John for the sake of his wife’s pride…

But, then he does nothing… he is bound with inaction… as he was afraid… he wants to please the masses… he weighed what John’s death would mean politically…

Matthew states Herod “feared the multitude”…

Herod is allowing fear… and pleasing others… to dictate his direction.

Pro 29:25 states, “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.”

Herod comes across to me as one ensnared by his fear of man.

When your mind becomes consumed with pleasing others… you are the one who is robbed.

You get robbed of the present… you get robbed of peace… you get robbed of joy…

If this is a stronghold in your life… you need to do war with those thoughts… and war against the flesh…

2 Cor 10:4-5 states, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God [they have divine power] for pulling down strongholds [of human reasoning], 5 casting down [demolishing false] arguments and every high thing that exalts itself [prideful opinions] against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ...”

God has given us powerful weapons… His Holy Spirit… prayer… multitudes of counselors… fasting…

There are many resources for you to take your thoughts captive… not to be plagued and burdened about what people think of you.

“The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.”

Herod didn’t have these weapons… and he was consumed by trying to please everyone.

Ironically, even though Herod wanted to kill John… and imprisoned John… V20 also states “...Herod feared [or respected] John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.”

Is Herod the definition of a “double-minded man” or what?

John calls Herod out… Herod wants to kill John… and imprisons John for Herodias’ sake (happy wife… happy life)…

But, then he does nothing because he fears the multitude, because they considered John a prophet and therefore…

Herod’s public approval rating would go down.

And, then V20… so interesting to me…

In his heart, Herod knows John was “just” meaning “righteous, by implication innocent.”

And, Herod knew John was “holy” or “separated… set apart… consecrated to God”…

So Herod protected him… meaning “to keep close or preserve...”

And, Herod spent time with his prisoner… talking with John… and he enjoyed talking to John even though what John had to say was perplexing to him.

As the words of faith often are to unbelievers.

Herod was like a guy who enjoys a good church message, but lacked any fruit.

You can’t follow a preacher, but reject the preacher’s master. This is the error of Herod.

And, I think what V20 is telling us is Herod knew John was right in calling him out… and he knew John shouldn’t be imprisoned…

It would seem that Herod’s conscience was eating away at him. He was guilty… and he was haunted.

Instead of standing up for right… he imprisoned the voice of truth.... but then spent time with him and protected him… to ease his conscience.

The Bible tells us that everyone has a conscience…

Rom 2:15 tells us that Gentiles who don’t have God’ law… “show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them...”

Herod, like everyone else, had a conscience… and it would guide him in right and wrong.

It would accuse him or excuse him.

And, judging by V20 & V26 he was feeling accused. He knew he was wrong.

We can read other biblical accounts… or just draw on life experience and agree that a guilty conscience wears a person out…

It causes decline… in mental health… interpersonal relationships… truthfulness… reputation… joy… peace… even finances…

We can think of David’s response after Bathsheba to Urijah… and to Nathan the Prophet… and how his rule as a king steadily declined… and his family and friends rose against him.

He had a guilty conscience and tried to hide his transgression… and transgressed even further… and he caused so much wreckage in his life.

But, David would repent… he would turn to God…

Heb 9:14 tells us the blood of Christ will cleanse your conscience from sinful deeds…

And, if you are carrying a burden, turn to Jesus Christ in faith and let Him cleanse your conscience.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 Jn 1:9

But, Herod never did… and if you fast forward about 1 year… this same Herod Antipas finally meets Jesus in Luke 23:8… as Jesus stands before him during his trials before His crucifixion…

Herod was “exceedingly glad” and hoped to see some miracles… and he questioned Jesus with many words…

And, you know what Jesus said to him? NOTHING.

“...as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.” (Isa 53:7).

I think Herod had seared his conscience sometime after the death of John… and God had already given him up to a debased mind.

And, when Jesus did not respond, “Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.” (Lk 23:11)

There is a limit to God’s grace… as seen in Jesus’ silence to Herod.

For a season, Herod was able to protect John, but Herodias had not let go of her bitterness…

And, a day came when she could exact her revenge…

Mark 6:21-29 “Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22 And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23 He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” 24 So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!” [“mom of the year” award there!] 25 Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. [Happy Mother’s Day Herodias] 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.”

So, and opportune day for Herodias arrives. Opportune sounds pleasant… which it certainly was not for John.

Opportune could also be translated as “timely or strategic” and certainly it was for Herodias.

It was Herod’s Birthday party… and attending are his nobles, high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.

And, no doubt the wine was flowing…

How many poor decisions have been made under the influence of alcohol?

king Herod should have heeded the advice of Pro 31:4 “It is not for kings, O Lemuel,It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink; 5 Lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted.”

I imagine this was another mistake of Herod. Intoxicating drink decreased his inhibitions… and he forgets the law.

Herodias then sets the stage for Herod to make another poor choice by sending her daughter to tempt him.

Herodias’ daughter in V21… historically is known as Salome… and she dances what many believe is called the “Dance of the Seven Veils”… which was thought a seductive dance… and she was thought to be only a teen.

Herodias was an immoral woman and a bad mom. She didn’t protect her daughter, but used her for her own vengeance… sending her out to dance in front of many powerful men.

And, she coaches her daughter to request the murder of John… that’s pretty twisted.

Proverbs 31 is a great contrast to Herodias. If you are unsure how to be a Godly mother… start with prayer and a Proverbs 31 study.

Likely under the influence of alcohol and now physically seduced… Herod blurts out, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

Like he’s king Ahasuerus from Esther… who said this same proverbial saying, but unlike Ahasuerus … Herod had no kingdom to give.

Rome ruled. Herod was a mere Tetrarch.

Nevertheless, Herod makes an oath… and Salome, having been prompted by her mother (according to Matthew)… asks for the Head of John the Baptist on a platter.

And, since Herod is with some of the most important people of the land… alcohol + pride + peer pressure = poor choices.

Which is confirmed in V26… Herod gives in because he doesn’t want to break the oath (which Jesus taught “do not swear at all” Mat 5:34)… and because of “those who sat with him… alcohol + pride + peer pressure = poor choices.

Man… how many dumb things could I have avoided had I grasped that in college?

Now… still to this point… Herod could have said “no.”

V26 states he didn’t “want to refuse her,” but he still could have. I imagine he doesn’t want to appear weak. Pride.

If you find yourself backed against a wall… know that you’re not stuck… you can still say no.

1 Cor 10:13 encourages, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

There’s a way of escape… and Herod could have said no, but he allowed the temptation to overcome him.

And despite, V26 stating “…the king was exceedingly sorry...” This only superficial remorse… like when Judas returned the money.

This is not true repentance. Herod was grieved, but not to the point that he changed his mind.

2 Cor 7:10 “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

As we saw when Jesus stood before Herod in silence… Herod was already a dead man walking. His mind was debased… and he was on the broad road to destruction.

Herod indeed put an end to John… delivering his head to Salome… who gave it to Herodias.

Herodias must have felt some twisted satisfaction in the moment, but within years life as she knew it would come to an end.

Herod would find himself at war with the Nabataean kingdom east of him for putting away his first wife for Herodias… the daughter of the Nabataean king.

Herod lost the war… and Josephus wrote, “Now the Jews had an opinion that the destruction of this army was sent as a punishment upon Herod [over John], and a mark of God’s displeasure against him.”

Later, his own brother Agrippa would accuse him of treason against Rome…

And, Antipas and Herodias were banished to Gaul… modern day France.

And, from there… whether they died by their own hands… on simply sank into obscurity…

They were permanently removed… to be king & queen no more.

“God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Gal 6:7

V29 records the disciples came and laid to rest the body of John. A faithful servant of God…

Matthew records they told Jesus…

And, the story ends with the only act of decency recorded in the entire account…

Let’s Pray!

This is a difficult passage of Scripture… John was faithful and met a terrible end… because unbelievers with consumed with sin.

And yet… God is still in control.

Whatever craziness may lie ahead… remember the boldness of John… and live it out as you go.