3. THE OF HEROD AND OTHERS ABOUT JESUS Mark 6:14-29 (Matthew 14:1-12; Luke 9:7-9) 14 And king Herod--Called by Matthew and Luke "Tetrarch," a Greek word, meaning "a ruler of the fourth part," and which became a common title for those who governed any part of a province, subject only to the Roman emperor. This was Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great. His dominion comprised Galilee, Samaria, and Perea. He first married a daughter of Aretas, king of Arabia Retrea; but later took Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. Aretas, indignant at the insult offered his daughter, waged war against Herod and defeated him. This defeat, according to Josephus (Ant. XVIII. 5, 2), was regarded by many as a punishment for the murder of John. In A.D. 39 he was banished to France, whither Herodias followed him. Both died in exile. He was sensual, weak (Matthew 14:9), cunning (Luke 13.:32), unscrupulous (Luke 3:19), and superstitious (verse 20; Luke 9:9). heard thereof; for his name had become known: and he said, John the Baptizer is risen from the dead,--The guilty conscience of Herod suggested that Jesus was John, whom he had beheaded, now risen from the dead. and therefore do these powers work in him.--Herod thought because he is risen from the dead, the powers, that is, superhuman or miraculous powers, work or are active in him. John did not work miracles (John 10:41); but now, Herod reasons, the powers are active in John's person because he was come forth from the dead, having thus acquired new spiritual and miraculous power. His fears may have been excited lest Jesus might become a political rival, or lest his superhuman powers might be directed against him. According to Luke (Luke 9:7) he "was much perplexed" because some said that John was risen. 15 But others said, It is Elijah.--The coming of Elijah had been foretold by the prophet Malachi (Malachi 4:5) and was expected by the Jews. John was indeed the Elijah that was to come.' (Matthew 1:14.) And others said, It is a prophet, even as one of the prophets.--There was a diversity of opinions among the people as to who Jesus was. These were not ready to regard him as the prophet Elijah, but as one of the old prophets, though not so great as Elijah. This is the general estimate of the people concerning Jesus. In opinion they were not agreed. 16 But Herod, when he heard thereof, said, John, whom I beheaded,--"I" is emphatic, made so by his feeling of guilt. Here he confesses his guilt. he is risen.--His conscience would not allow him to abandon the idea that John had risen from the dead. His guilty conscience impelled him to this opinion. The memory of his crime doubtless haunted him so that he could not get away from the idea. [We have presented in this case a diversity of character. Not the least important of the revelations of the Bible is that of human character. Man should know himself. He knows things only relatively. Without a correct standard no true judgment can be formed. God in his own character gives the true standard by which all character is to be tested. The delineations of the various characters laid open in the Bible by God, whose knowledge is perfect and judgment just and righteous, are a profitable study to man. In this is presented John, the stern, fearless, and impartial reprover of wrong in the subject and in the king, even though it brought to him imprisonment and death; King Herod, with strong convictions of right, overruled by unlawful attachment to a bad woman and false pride to appear consistent before his courtiers; a wicked and vindictive woman, relentless in cruelty, sacrificing her daughter's good and making her an accomplice in crime to gratify her resentfulness on account of the reproval of her wrongs, the daughter, with fleshly charms, using them to gratify the mother's vengeance.] 17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison--At Macherus seven miles northeast of the Dead Sea. (Josephus Ant., 18:5, 12.) for the sake of Herodias.--This states why John was cast into prison, on account of the instigation of the adulterous woman, a fact omitted by Matthew. Herodias was a granddaughter of Herod the Great, daughter of Aristobulus, and niece of Herod Antipas. As Jezebel was the foe of the first Elijah (1 Kings 19:2), so was Herodias of the second. his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.--Not the tetrarch of Iturea (Luke 3:1), but another brother, who lived in private life, having been disinherited by his father , and thus uncle to Herodias, whom he married. But she, preferring royalty, left him, and married Herod Antipas, who, to make way for her, divorced his own wife, daughter of Aretas, king of Arabia, supposed to be the one mentioned by Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:32. Philip was half brother of Herod Antipas. The imprisonment and murder of John had taken place previous to this time. It is here recalled and narrated in connection with the life of Jesus at this time, because Herod insisted that Jesus was John raised from the dead. John had reproved Herod for taking his brother's wife from him and marrying her. Herod claimed to be an observer of the Jewish law. As such he came under the teaching of John, who, regardless of his high position and his power, reproved him as he would his humblest subject. This is not common. Men, preachers, flatter the great and honorable ones of earth to secure their favor. A great source of corruption in the church is the temptation to preachers to palliate and overlook the sins of the great--to flatter them to secure their favor and help. They often persuade themselves that they do good in this, as the favor obtained helps forward the cause of truth. But the approved servants of God pursued a wholly different course. They reproved the rich equally with the poor, and Peter said to Simon, "Thy silver perish with thee." Every preacher ought to say the same, and make no impression that money can secure immunity from strict obedience to the law or favor of God without consecration. When he reproved them Herod seems to have resented the reproof not on his own account, but at the instigation of Herodias. For her sake--to gratify her--he imprisoned John. While he did this much, he refused for the time to go further to please her. But one step in the wrong direction prepares for another.] 18 For John said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.--Here is John's rebuke and which led to his death. [It was contrary to the law of Moses, as it has been contrary to the law of God at all times, for a man to take the wife of another. Adultery with a married woman has always been a higher crime than lewdness with an unmarried one. To take a brother's wife or the wife of a near kinsman is worse than to take the wife of another. (Leviticus 18:16; Leviticus 20:21.) John had not only reproved Herod for this sin (Luke 3:19), "but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother's wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done." Although claiming to obey the law of Moses, he let his interest, his lusts, his ambition, his personal feelings, his wicked associates draw him into the commission of many wrongs. For these John fearlessly reproved him as a sinner.] 19 And Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him;--She would kill the physician who only could cure her disease. Doubtless she reasoned that if Herod yielded to John's advice, she was a lost and ruined woman, dethroned, abandoned, disgraced, with nowhere to go. Either John must die, or her whole life was lost, was the way she viewed the situation. and she could not;--Could not as yet persuade Herod to give the necessary orders. The reason is given in the next verse. [The reproof for the unlawful marriage was as much against her as against Herod. They were partners in guilt, and John reproved them both. God regards sins alike in men and women. Only as man was the head and the stronger, he holds him to a stricter accountability as the more responsible of the two. Society holds woman the more responsible of the two, especially in all crimes of this character, but God holds man. Woman is by nature more gentle and kind, more sympathetic to suffering, more emotional than man; yet when aroused she is more bitter, unrelenting, and vindictive. Intensity of emotional feeling is her character. Whichever way it is directed she is more intense than man; hence when aroused and infuriated she is more cruel. Woman is not apt to be lukewarm. She is either hot or cold. When a Christian she is more earnest than man; when wicked, more wicked. Herodias would have killed John, but could not. Herod restrained her. He imprisoned John for her, but would go no further. But one step in the wrong only makes ready for another.] 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man,--Here we get a glimpse of the esteem in which Herod held John. He was just, righteous, upright in his relations toward men;and holy, pious and devoted toward God. and kept him safe.--From the designs of Herodias and her friends. Herod did not wish to slay John. He and his wife were divided on the question and working in opposite directions. The one seeking his life, the other protecting it. And when he heard him, he was much perplexed;--Perplexed whether to obey his conscience or to continue in his sins. He wanted to please Herodias, but he dare not kill John on account of the people. Herod was afraid of everything except God. John feared God, but no human being. and he heard him gladly.--[Herod knew he had sinned. He had enough sense of right to know John had done right in reproving him. So as a just man he feared him. Matthew says, "When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet"--which does not contradict Mark, but shows that fear of the multitude coincided with his own sense of right in restraining him from murdering John when he would have done so to please Herodias. Many diverse influences combine often to direct a man's course. His own and the people's respect for John made him hear John gladly, and do many things he commanded. Men are often willing to do many things God commands, but are unwilling to yield up some special sin. Herod could do many things, but could not give up his adulterous marriage at the teaching of John. The dear sin is the test of our love of God.] 21 And when a convenient day was come,--Convenient day for Herodias to execute her malicious designs. Wine, dissipation, licentiousness were all favorable to this. that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee;--The first men, the chief men of the land. [A favorable day for Herodias to carry out her purpose of vengeance on John. It was the birthday of Herod. A feast was given to the lords and chief estates--under rulers of the different sections and estates of Galilee--and his high military officers were present.] 22 and when the daughter of Herodias--A daughter by Philip, and her name, according to Josephus, was Salome. Later she was married to her uncle Philip, the tetrarch of Iturea. (Luke 3:1.) herself came in and danced,--Dancing was usually with the accompaniment of tambourines or bells attached to the fingers, and with songs. "No reputable maiden could ever have done what she did. The dancing girls in the Orient are exceedingly popular as entertainers, but their profession is one the practice of which, it is not too much to say, is ruinous alike to themselves and to the spectators." (W. Ewing.) she pleased Herod and them that sat at meat with him; and the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.--The scheme succeeded. [This was no doubt a daughter by her former husband, as she was not Herod's daughter. She was young, no doubt with bodily charms, and accomplished in the art of pleasing. Herod at the feast, as was usual, drank freely of wine and strong drink, had his animal feelings excited and exhilarated, was flattered and aroused by the honors done him, was thrown off his usual prudence, and made a promise that he afterwards regretted. He rashly told the young woman he would give whatsoever she desired, not thinking the revengeful feeling of the mother would lead her to make the request she did. This was promising much for little. Excited by the dancing of the girl, he made that rash promise.] 23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.--A wild and reckless promise that could have been made only by one who had lost his wits by drunkenness. A drinking man is not a safe business man. Herod was willing to give away half of his kingdom for the sight of an immoral dance. Poor fool! But how many in our day give away the whole kingdom of their souls, with health and hope, prosperity, peace, and goodness--yea, the whole kingdom of heaven--for the paltry price of a glass of wine; the pleasure of the table; the acquisition of a little money! The race of Esau still lives, who sell their birthright for a mess of pottage. 24 And she went out, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask?--Which of all the beautiful things offered her--palaces, jewels, gorgeous apparel--all that a girl's heart could desire. And she said, The head of John the Baptizer.--By what argument could she persuade her daughter to ask such a gift instead of riches, palaces, and jewels? [Matthew (14:8) says, "She, being put forward by her mother." This does not mean instructed before the offer was made, but before she decided what she would ask, she consulted her mother, and at her instigation she asked the head of John the Baptist. What a choice under such an offer! What a throwing away of an opportunity! Wealth, honors, goods to the half of a kingdom and the choice that of a bleeding head severed from the body! And then to think that such a choice was made at the suggestion of her mother! Most mothers, even the wicked and worldly, would have asked place, position, honor, and riches; but here the bitter revengeful feelings of the mother at John for having rebuked her wrong blinded her to the interests of her daughter, and made her ask for that which could bring no good or pleasure, present or future, to the daughter, but could gratify only her own wicked and spiteful feelings. Wicked, revengeful feelings, cherished and gratified, more completely destroy the happiness and peace of the heart that cherishes them than any other influence. They blind to the true interest of ourselves and families. God warns against cherishing them: "Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord." (Romans 12:19.) "Not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for here-unto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing." (1 Peter 3:9.) Christians are called upon to suffer wrong, and return good for evil, that they may be fitted to inherit a blessing from God. Parents often gratify their vindictive feelings, deprive themselves of good, and lead their families to misery.] 25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou forthwith give me on a platter the head of John the Baptist.--[It was cruel to desire John's death. It was more than cruel, coarse, and brutal to desire the bleeding head brought her during the feast in a charger, or on a waiter or tray. What a dish ordered for a feast by the young woman! Woman with her strong, emotional nature and intensity of feeling in the way of right, virtue, and purity, is an angel of love and mercy. Traveling the downward road of impurity, sin, and crime, she is a demon of cruelty and crime.] 26 And the king was exceeding sorry;--He was sorry but not penitent. He was sorry for her that she should make such a choice. He was sorry that he should be called on to have a man beheaded that he knew was a just and holy man, who had only done his duty. Herod respected the man who was just and upright, although he himself let his lust and passion hinder him from so acting. He was sorry to see the just and upright man beheaded. His sense of justice protested; his conscience was not seared. He was not totally depraved. He was led on step by step from one degree of wrong to another. His first wrong step was to have John imprisoned to please his wicked wife.] but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat, he would not reject her.--He granted the request though against his conscience. [Herod imprisoned John. This was unjust and sinful. He did it at the suggestion of the wicked woman. The devil used the woman. He waited and watched his opportunity until the king was aroused with wine, surrounded by his courtieurs and the great ones of earth. He is excited by the dancing of the girl, and makes the rash promise and confirms it with an oath. The devil sees at once his opportunity--his pride, his show of regard for his oath, the humiliation there would be in drawing back from his oath in the presence of his great ones. He uses the woman again, and the king had John beheaded, and his head brought into the presence of the guests in a charger. How must Herod feel after having been so drawn into what he knew was wrong! The only time we can safely resist wrong is before the first step is taken in that direction. There is another principle involved here that ought to be studied. Herod made a foolish promise. It became a wicked promise when connected with the request made under it. For the sake of the oath he beheaded John. His pride prompted him to perform the oath when he knew it was wrong. What was his duty after the oath was made and he saw it led to sin? Many young people especially say when an oath is made or a promise given it should be fulfilled. If the making of the oath was wrong, it was a greater sin to perform it. Two wrongs do not make a right, but doubles the wrong.] 27 And straightway the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring his head:--It seems the king had the authority to have John beheaded without a trial of justice. and he went and behaded him in the prison,--[He did this out of false pride--a false principle of honor. Out of regard for a rash promise and an oath to do wrong he became a murderer of a holy and just person. The promise was a sin. The fulfillment made him a cruel murderer.] 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother.--[What a present! What a dish! The bleeding head of an upright and holy man of God to grace the birthday feast of a king! How one sinner leads another into sin! How yielding to one sin leads to a greater one! How false principles, false pride, an improper regard for the opinions of others, and of our own wrong promises lead on to deeper crime! How, when we start wrong, influences multiply to lead us on deeper and deeper into wrong!] 29 And when his disciples heard thereof, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.--Where, we do not know. Herodias was in possession of the head. Whether she allowed it to be buried with the body is not known. [It was done in prison. His disciples without heard of it, and "came, and took up the corpse, and buried him; and they went and told Jesus."]