The Gospel and the Kingdom - Matthew - John the Baptist Mistreated By Herod Antipas

 

TEXT: Matthew 14:3-8 – ³ For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. ⁴ Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” ⁵ And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. ⁶ But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. ⁷ Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

⁸ So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”

Even when Jesus was here on the Earth, people misunderstood who He was. They attributed Him to be many different things – a great Teacher, a Prophet, some thought Him crazy, others thought He was a charlatan trying to deceive the people. Those same thoughts and accusations remain until today.

We looked at verses 1 &2 yesterday and considered how Herod misunderstood who Jesus really was. Today, in this passage, we see the context of what is taking place. This is the account of the Martyrdom of John the Baptist.

In verses 3-5 we are instructed about the persecution of John. John is imprisoned for fearlessly condemning Herod’s unlawful marriage to Herodias – his ex-sister-in-law.

Two of Herod’s sons were Herod Philip and Herod Antipas. Herod Philip married his half-niece Herodias. When Herod Antipas visited his brother, he desired Herodias for a wife for himself.  So Herod Antipas divorced his own wife and married Herodias.  She, of course, had to divorce Herod Philip first. The Jewish law does not permit such behavior (Leviticus 18:16 and 20:21). 

Thus, John the Baptist had said this was wrong. Going against the King (especially one of the Herods) was a certain design for persecution or worse. However, in this case, Herod greatly feared the crowds, and possibly John himself – and thus he did not have him executed – only tortured. (Mark 6:20 tells us – “… for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him….”)

In verse 6 of this chapter in Matthew, we see the performance.  The daughter of Herodias performs a birthday dance for Herod. Her name is Salome according to outside sources. Many believe that this was a very seductive and lewd dance to entertain Herod and his cohorts.

So, in verse 7 we see the promise of Herod. He with a great oath promised Salome that he would give her whatever she wanted. (Mark 6:23 adds – “He also swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.’”)

And in verse 8 the plot is revealed – at Herodias’ urging, Salome demands the head of John the Baptist.

Herod is now between a rock and a hard place. He feared John. He protected John. But, in front of his cronies, he had made an oath. What should he do? What will he do? Tomorrow, we will continue to unravel this account of John’s martyrdom.

Ponder today this thought, We must saturate our minds with the Word so that we will not be quick to make rash, foolish decisions. They always turn on us. How can this apply to me today?