The Death of John The Baptist

Theme: The Identity of Jesus Christ

Topic: The Death of John the Baptist

Series: Exposition in Mark

Introduction

Why was John the Baptist killed?

Mark 6:17–29 (ESV)

For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias’s daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” And she came in immediately 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.” And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Observing the Text

Now as far as Herod was concerned, John the Baptist was dead and that is why in our text, Luke says Herod was perplexed when he heard that Jesus was in fact John.

The Context about Jesus’ Fame begins in verse 7 where he begins to send the Disciples to accompany him in his Ministry:

Mark 6:7–13 (ESV)

And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

Jesus is fame is growing as the Disciples also are doing as there master instructs them.

Verse 14

Mark 6:14 (ESV)

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Matthew 14:1–2 (ESV)

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Luke 9:7 (ESV)

Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead,

The Reports

1. Jesus is John the Baptist - Vs 14

2. Jesus is Elijah - Vs 15

3. Jesus is like prophets of old - Vs 15

What is happening Here?

Mark and Luke Narrate the Story of John to give context

The Focus is on the Identity of Jesus Christ

Mark and Luke are telling us why Herod is troubled upon hearing the reports about Jesus Christ

Verse 17-29 gives context to Verse 14-16

Why was Herod Troubled?

1. He was troubled because he killed a godly innocent man to please a girl.

a. It seems he was guilty because of what he was told

2. Herod was troubled because of the Reports on of which claimed that John had been raised from the dead.

The identity of Jesus Christ

1. Herod did not take a step to know Jesus personally

2. He based the identity of Christ on the interpretation of others.

3. Herod chose to believe something that was connected to his experience.

Because He was Guilty of Killing John, He easily believed the Report that Christ was John raised from the Dead.

Mark tells us that Herod was both perplexed and glad at the same time

Probably glad because he could find comfort in the fact that the man he killed was alive again. But perplexed because he did not know what that entailed on his part.

Putting the text in Context

Before drawing lessons from this particular passage, let us reflect on what we have been learning from chapter one (briefly)

What have we learned about Jesus so far?

God said, “This is my Son in whom I am well pleased” - after Baptism

John testified that indeed Jesus was the Son of God who takes away the Sin of the World

When in the synagogue, it was clear to the Jews that Jesus taught with authority

The Demon in the synagogue, and on the other side of the Sea knew that Jesus was the Son of God

The Leper knew that Jesus was divine and could heal him

The disciples in the boat, realized that Jesus had power of nature for he commanded the waves of the sea to be calm down

The woman with the Issue of Blood and Jairus believed in Jesus as Divine for they bowed before him as if he was God and Jesus Did not stop them

In our passage we are introduced to some wrong identities attributed to Jesus.

A quick lesson here is that, people have been misunderstanding who Jesus is for a long time

Wrong Identities

1. Religious leaders said: He (Jesus) is possessed by the prince of Demons

2. His own family: He (Jesus) is out of his mind (Mad)

3. In our text today people are saying Jesus is:

a. John the Baptist raised from the dead

b. He is the prophet Elijah - Jews were expecting Elijah to come.

c. He is like those ancient prophets - the Jews were longing for a messenger like that of the OT prophets

How about Us today, who is Jesus?

1. Jews: there is no official view per say

But the Jews who are not Christians Reject the tremendous claim that Jesus is God.

2. Muslims: they believe that Jesus was a prophet

But they also reject his divine nature

3. Buddhists: Minor intersection with Christianity

They do not have a specific view but some of them admire the life of Jesus. (He was a good moral teacher)

4. Atheists: They do not believe in gods

5. The African worldview

a. There is confusion in some circles