John the Baptist Beheaded
(Matt. 14:1–12; Luke 9:7–9)
21 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!”
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. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.
V21 “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.”
V22 “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.” Here we learn a principle about careless speech. Compare Proverbs 20:25 and Proverbs 13:3. Here we learn another principle about alcohol squelches conscience and judgment. Compare Proverbs 31:4-5, Isaiah 28:7, and Genesis 19:30-35 (an example).
V23 “He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” What a rash vow. Compare Proverbs 29:20.
V24 “So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!” Her mother was looking for an opportunity to get rid of John the Baptist. Some individuals, struggling with their own issues, often resort to extreme measures against those who disagree with them.
V25 “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.” Talk about grossness. I can’t imagine someone who would want the decapitated head on a plate, even today some desire this.
V26 “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.” Drinking altered judgment, and a rash vow led to great sins.
V27 “Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison…” Even before the party was over, John’s head was served to Herodias’ daughter. Josephus states her name was Salome, the daughter of Philip.
V28 “…brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.”
V29 “When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.” Utley comments: “John the Baptist was obviously in the will of God. Yet his ministry only lasted about eighteen months. Although the actual cause of his death was the scheming of an evil woman, God is in control of history for His purposes. This verse also reflects the Jewish concern for a proper burial.”
We learn:
- Alcohol and other mind-altering drugs dampen the conscience, leading to foolish actions and decisions.
- Rash vows often leave a wounded conscience.
Questions:
- Do we keep a clear mind?
- Do we make foolish vows?