Death of John the Baptist
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Death of John the Baptist March, 27 A.D. Matthew 14:1-12 Mark 6:14-29 Luke 9:7-9 Herod Antipas’ Mistaken View of Jesus Texts: Matthew 14:1, 2, At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, and he said to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him." Mark 6:14-16, King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him." Others said, "He is Elijah." And still others claimed, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago." But when Herod heard this, he said, "John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!" Luke 9:7-9, Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed, because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. But Herod said, "I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?" And he tried to see him. Commentary: I. Herod the tetrarch (ruler of one-fourth of a realm), called Antipas, was a son of Herod the Great. A. had inherited the rulership of Galilee and Peraea and ruled from 4 B.C. to 39 A.D., almost the complete life of Jesus on earth. B. On a visit to Rome he had "fallen in love" with Herodias, his niece and wife of his half-brother, Herod Philip II. C. Both Herodias and Herod Philip II were private citizens at the time. D. Herod Antipas seduced her and divorced his own wife. Herodias divorced Herod Philip II. Herod Antipas and Herodias were then married and Herodias became Queen! E. What do you think of all that? F. Herod was one evil man! 1. Matthew 14:9, The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted. 2. Luke 3:19, John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother' wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 3. Luke 13:31, 32, At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you." He replied, "Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.'" I. The fame/news of the work of Jesus Christ reached Herod Antipas who before had executed John the Baptist. A. Herod Antipas concluded that Jesus was actually John the Baptist who had been raised from the dead. B. Herod believed that John was a righteous man and capable of performing miracles. C. Herod was burdened with guilt for John's murder, but not enough to repent. Note: Are you surprised that King Herod was ready to believe that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead? [Pythagoras' theory of the transmigration of souls was in vogue at that time. Herod's guilt may also have made him susceptible to beliefs he ordinarily may not have otherwise entertained. I. Herod's advisors had differing but similar views saying: A. Jesus was Elijah raised from the dead. B. Jesus was one of the great prophets of the Old Testament who had returned from the dead. C. Herod was adamant. "John, whom I have beheaded, he is risen." Note: Compare this interchange with the interchange between Jesus and his disciples on another occasion. Matthew 16:13, 14, When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." I. Luke has Herod amazed at what he had learned of the works and ministry of Jesus from his advisors and the "media." Herod wanted to see Jesus. A. Jesus was having a monumental impact on the total population. B. Jesus was compared with only the greatest in Israel's history. John's Imprisonment and Execution Texts: Matthew 14:3-12, Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, for John had been saying to him: "It is not lawful for you to have her." Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet. On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. Mark 6:17-29, For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him. Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you." And he promised her with an oath, "Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" "The head of John the Baptist," she answered. At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist," she answered. The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. On hearing of this, John's disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. Commentary: I. Herod had arrested John, "handcuffed" (bound) him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. A. The Jews deeply resented this incestuous, adulterous marriage of Herod Antipas and Herodias. B. Had it not been for this evil Herodias in a high place John would not have been killed. C. John brought the hatred of Herodias upon himself by preaching the truth; viz., "It is not lawful for you (Herod) to be married to her (Herodias)." D. Aquila and Priscilla followed in John's footsteps. Romans 16:4, They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. II. Herod was afraid to execute John the Baptist because he feared the multitudes who regarded John as a prophet. A. This shows that Herod and Herodias were equally guilty of the murder of John. B. The difference was that Herod was afraid on his own to execute John. III. Herod's birthday was an occasion of great celebration. A. Herodias' daughter, not Herod's daughter, Salome, danced in the midst, among the celebrants. B. Her dancing greatly pleased Herod. C. Herod rashly promised with an oath to give Salome anything she wanted up to half of his kingdom. What a foolish extravagant promise! 1. Be careful what you promise. 2. Promises are meant to be kept. 4. Would Herod have been justified in breaking this promise? IV. To Herod's great chagrin Herodias urged Salome to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. A. Salome did the evil bidding of her mother. B. How great the influence of a godly mother! How terrible the influence of a wicked mother! C. How was this for a grand finale to Herod's birthday party? D. What good things might Salome have asked for? I. Herod was grieved at this request, but kept his promise nonetheless. A. He kept his promise: 1. to keep from being embarrassed in the eyes of his birthday guests for reneging on his promise. "What will people think" is no basis for moral and religious decisions. 2. because of his oaths. A. John was beheaded in the Machaerus Prison some five (5) miles east of the Dead Sea. Saints suffer too! 1.