14 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.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17 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. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20 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.
21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 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.” 23 And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 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.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison 28 and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
King Herod Antipas heard about Jesus. People had different ideas about who Jesus was. Some said he was John the Baptist raised from the dead, others said he was Elijah and others said He was just a prophet. When Herod heard about Jesus, he was convinced Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead because, we now find out, Herod had him beheaded and was suffering from a guilty conscience.
Herod had John thrown in prison because he had preached against Herod’s marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, saying “It is not lawful for you to marry your brother’s wife” (Lev 20:21). Herodias held a clear grudge against John and wanted him put to death. Herod realised John was righteous and holy and kept him safe. When Herod heard John’s preaching he was unsure what to do about it, yet he continued to listen to John gladly.
Speaking God’s truth into a situation is not always easy and can get you into trouble with those who don’t believe. Are you prepared to stand up for the truth even if it costs you?
On his birthday, Herod held a banquet for all the important men of Galilee. Herod’s daughter came in and danced in a way that pleased Herod and his guests. We can guess the scene: Herod and his guests have had too much to drink and his daughter has probably been performing a seductive dance. Herod boastfully offers her whatever she wants, up to half of what He has. The daughter goes to her mother who finally sees her opportunity and convinces the daughter to ask for John the Baptist’s head on a platter. Herod doesn’t want to lose face in front of his guests so, despite being sorry, orders John the Baptist to be killed as requested.
Pride will cause you to do things you will later regret. Pride will then prevent you from changing your mind even after you realise your first action wasn’t so smart. Couple this with drinking and the lack of restraint it brings and you have a recipe for disaster. We are called to be sober-minded and watchful because the devil will look for opportunities to have you slip up (1 Peter 5:8).
Herodias’ daughter was very much influenced by her mother, Herodias. This made me wonder who I let have influence in my life and whether they are a good influence or not. It also made me wonder who I influence and whether I am a good influence to them.