Matthew 14:1-12
In Matthew 14:6 we read the following:
6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much (Matthew 14:6)
Can you picture the scene? Perhaps Herod’s guests were reclining around low tables arranged in a U shape, with Herod himself reclining in the center, watching the program being performed in the middle of the hall. Then, at a certain moment, Salome rises — long, loose black hair, provocatively made up, elegant and graceful. Lavishly and seductively dressed, half-bared and covered with veils and jewels — enormous necklaces, earrings, and bracelets on her arms and legs. The musicians strike up, and Salome begins to spin, moving every part of her body to the rhythm of the dance. Every eye is fixed on her. The men all but devour her with their gaze. And she spins and twists faster and faster. When the dance is over, complete silence falls, and then suddenly the whole hall bursts into thunderous applause. Herod is so pleased that he decides to reward her. “What shall your gift be? Ask me for anything at all. Yes, I swear it to you! Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom!” What a rash and foolish oath! Then Salome runs to her mother, and her mother whispers in her ear: “The head of John the Baptist.” Without a second thought, Salome stands up and says aloud for all to hear: “I want you to give me right now, on a platter, the head of John the Baptist.” Can you imagine how, a little later, the beautiful Salome reclined at her table, and on the tray before her, instead of a cake — the severed head of the greatest of God’s prophets? The head of John the Baptist as a reward for the display of her beauty and her dancing skill. And Salome does not so much as bat an eye. Her beauty turns out to be serpentine. Her dance — satanic. If we could put it in a single word, it is a disgrace.
THE SHAMELESSNESS OF THE YOUNG GIRL
Here it says that Salome “danced” among the guests. This dance was not a tango, a waltz, or a slow dance, but a shameful display of lustful movements whose purpose was to arouse the passions of the flesh and to give pleasure to those present. Many modern dances are similar in character. Their aim is eroticism. Eroticism is a good thing when it is within the bounds of marriage, but when it steps outside those bounds, it incites fornication and every kind of impure passion. In Galatians 5:19-21 the apostle Paul lists the “acts of the flesh,” and the list begins like this:
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; (Galatians 5:19)
In 1 Timothy 2:9 the apostle Paul says what a woman’s adornment ought to be:
9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. (1 Timothy 2:9-10)
Notice: modesty, decency, propriety, and good deeds. Does that sound like erotic dancing to you? Can any young Christian woman dance a küchek or a lambada with decency and propriety? Decency and propriety will always restrain a godly person from unworthy actions. The shamelessness and the dance of Salome contributed to the death of John the Baptist. In the same way today, the lack of modesty and decorum among young men and women causes a whole range of problems and choices that many later come to regret.
I remember how, in the autumn of 2004, a program called “Big Brother” began on Nova Television. Its participants were twelve randomly chosen men and women who had agreed to live together in a house full of cameras, so that all of Bulgaria could watch their lives on television. Among them was a young girl from Varna named Zara. In the course of those three months, this Zara managed to fornicate both with one of the boys in the house, named Nayden, and with one of the girls, named Mel. And all of it was shown on television. Even more astonishing was that Zara’s own mother defended her behavior with the argument that this is how any free-thinking, “liberated” woman of the twenty-first century would act. I remember that after the program ended, Zara was especially proud of herself for being the woman who had had the most sex in the house — with both sexes alike. This is the world we live in.
THE VENGEFULNESS OF THE SCHEMING WOMAN
This was the spirit of Salome. But she was undoubtedly influenced by her mother. Originally Herodias had been married to her uncle on her father’s side, Herod Philip, while her present husband, Herod Antipas, had been married to the daughter of Aretas, the Arabian king of Petraea. Once Herod went to visit Philip, and his brother’s wife — with whom he was evidently in love — ran off with him, and they abandoned their families while they were both still married. A little later they entered into an official marriage. For all of this John the Baptist rebuked them. It was precisely for this “interference in their private life” that Herodias turned Herod against John and had him imprisoned (Mark 6:17-18).
17 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. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” (Mark 6:17-18)
In Herodias we see the progression of vengefulness and cunning. She is the New Testament Queen Jezebel. Just as Jezebel sought to kill the prophet Elijah, so Herodias sought to kill John the Baptist, who came “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). For a time Herodias could not carry out her hellish design because of Herod’s respect for John (Mark 6:19-20).
19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 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. (Mark 6:19-20)
For Herodias, a life sentence for John the Baptist was not enough. She wanted him dead. Every day she plotted her hellish schemes. And a day came when she devised a way to manipulate Herod so as to satisfy her malicious desire (Mark 6:21-25).
21 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. 22 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.” 23 And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered. 25 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 on a platter.” (Mark 6:21-25)
Herodias did not merely ask that John be put to death and removed somehow — she asked for his head on a platter. It was something revolting and cruel.
THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE GODLY MAN
Why was Herodias so angry with John the Baptist? Through his life and ministry John the Baptist proved himself a faithful prophet of God. In fact, it was of him that Jesus said, “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” His message consisted of a call to repentance and preparation for the kingdom of God. In Matthew 3:1-2 we read:
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. (Matthew 3:1-6)
John preached not only to the common people. He also addressed those of higher rank and the religious leaders (Matthew 3:7-10):
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 3:7-10)
Quite a sharp and uncompromising preacher, I would say. At one point in his ministry John did not shrink even from rebuking the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, King Herod Antipas (Matthew 14:3-4). Herod Antipas had married his brother Herod Philip’s wife, whose name was Herodias. This was unlawful for several reasons. First, they had come together before they had even officially separated from their former spouses, which made this union adultery.
Second, Herodias was Herod Antipas’s niece, and this made their union incest — even though Herodias’s father Aristobulus and Herod Antipas were half-brothers, sons of the same father but by different mothers, Mariamne, granddaughter of Hyrcanus II, and the Samaritan woman Malthace. Herodias was a granddaughter of Herod the Great, the daughter of Aristobulus, and a sister of Herod Agrippa I. She first married her uncle Herod Philip, who was also a son of Herod the Great, but by another wife, Mariamne, granddaughter of the high priest Simon — by him she had a daughter named Salome. Later, however, she left him to marry Herod Antipas. So all of this is a revolting tangle, much like some of our modern divorces. To it, however, is added the sin of incest. In Leviticus 18:16 we read:
16 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother. (Leviticus 18:16)
And in Leviticus 20:21 it says:
21 “‘If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity; he has dishonored his brother. They will be childless. (Leviticus 20:21)
So on every count Herod’s marriage to Herodias was sin, and John the Baptist did not shrink from declaring it. Rather than soften his message or keep silent about the uncomfortable questions, John was ready to go to prison and even to die for the truth. On this note someone has said: “Better to have a head like John the Baptist’s and lose it, than to have an ordinary head and keep it.”
This heroism of John the Baptist ought to inspire us also to be faithful to God’s Word even when it becomes uncomfortable for others. This is especially important with regard to marriage. In Hebrews 13:4 it says:
4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. (Hebrews 13:4)
Not all relationships between people are lawful according to God’s standard. So there may be times in our lives when we, like John, will have to say to someone: “It is not lawful for you to have her!” or “It is not lawful for you to have him!”
THE WEAKNESS OF THE APPROVAL-SEEKING MAN
And so, in this brief story we have one godly man of God — John — and three opponents of God — Salome, Herodias, and Herod. We have seen the shamelessness of the young girl, and we have paused over the vengefulness of the scheming woman. Now let us briefly consider King Herod Antipas as well. On the whole he shows himself in this episode to be a weak man. In the first place, his weakness is seen in his superstition. As incredible as it sounds, he actually thinks that Jesus is the risen John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-2).
1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 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.” (Matthew 14:1-2)
In the second place, Herod Antipas is unfaithful. This unfaithfulness of his is seen in the fact that he abandons his first wife and marries Herodias simply out of passion (Matthew 14:3-4).
Third, Herod Antipas is cowardly — at first he fears the people, who regard John as a prophet, and then he fears John the Baptist himself, and for that reason he protects him so that Herodias will not destroy him.
- Matthew 14:5 — Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.
- Mark 6:19-20 — 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.
Superstitious, unfaithful, cowardly, approval-seeking. Once he learned what Salome’s wish was, Herod was afraid to refuse her because he was afraid of losing the “rating” he enjoyed in society (Matthew 14:9).
9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted (Matthew 14:9)
Evidently Herodias knew her husband very well and knew how to manipulate him (Matthew 14:6-8). Herodias knew what would please him and how to make him carry out her wishes even when they were different from his own.
Such is Herod Antipas — superstitious, unfaithful, cowardly, approval-seeking, and susceptible to manipulation. His weakness of character ultimately led to his own death. For later Herodias again manipulated him into joining her in demanding honors from the emperor. But instead of receiving honors, Herod and Herodias were accused of high treason and sent into exile in Gaul, where Herod died in great poverty and misery. His place was taken by Herod Agrippa I.
A moral weakness like that of Herod Antipas can be a problem for Christians today as well. If we are not firm, but are susceptible to temptations and harmful influences, then we too, like Herod, can become easy prey for Satan. Instead, we Christians must be strong. Remember Joseph. Remember Daniel. They are an example of faithfulness and purity.
Moreover, when temptations come, our eyes must be fixed not on ourselves or on others, but on God. He is faithful, and he will not let us be tempted beyond our strength, but along with the temptation he will also provide a way out, so that we can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
And finally, as servants of God we must seek approval not from people, but first and foremost from God. In Galatians 1:10 the apostle Paul says:
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)
TELL IT TO JESUS
Notice that the death of John the Baptist happened precisely on Herod Antipas’s birthday (Mark 6:21).
21 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. (Mark 6:21)
What a birthday! What a party! What a gift! We would not wish to be guests at such a birthday. The revulsion we feel even as we recall exactly what happened is understandable. We are horrified and shaken. And here is how it all ended:
10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. (Matthew 14:10-12)
Notice what John’s disciples did — they “went and told Jesus.” The disciples of John the Baptist were stunned and shocked by what had happened. The unexpected had come to pass. Their world was shaken to its foundations. They had lost their friend, teacher, and leader. And the pain they felt was all the sharper because of the violence and cruelty with which their teacher’s life had been taken. They were devastated. And they came and told Jesus. When Jesus learned of John’s death, he too was deeply grieved. Matthew tells us that when he heard, he withdrew from the crowd and wanted to be alone.
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. (Matthew 14:13)
Perhaps in that moment Jesus withdrew to grieve in private for the death of his cousin.
The unexpected takes us by surprise. Our world is torn by upheavals that often knock us flat. Things happen that cause us pain and grief. The brutal world we live in wounds us. We feel weak and powerless. What are we to do in such moments? To come and tell Jesus. It is striking that John’s disciples felt that Jesus would want to know — to know what had happened to John and what had happened to them.
In one of the songs from the old hymnbooks (No. 571) it says the following:
Heart, do not be grieving, Jesus is your Father,
Let no tears be flowing, do not, do not complain.
Never does he forget his own children,
But with love he leads us toward the bright heavens.
Tell it all to Jesus,
Tell it all to him with love,
The sun will rise for you
And the tears will vanish.
The apostle Peter comforts the young church, which was undergoing persecution, with these words (1 Peter 5:7):
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
One of the expanded translations of the Bible (J. B. Phillips) renders this verse like this: “You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon him, for you are his personal concern.”
Yes, in the death of John the Baptist it seems at first that evil wins. Herod succeeds in imprisoning and killing a righteous and innocent prophet of God. Herodias and Salome succeed in manipulating Herod and ridding themselves of John. And today too there are cases in which it seems that the wicked and the sinful are the ones who win in life — people who trample the laws of family and marriage, young people who gain popularity through violence and through their shameless behavior. But as we understand from God’s Word (Psalm 73), every such success is passing and fleeting. In the end God will judge every dishonor and evil on this earth. Sometimes the punishment comes even on this earth, sometimes it is reserved for eternity, but one way or another it is inevitable and always comes.
The question is: in whose place would you wish to be today? In the place of Herod? Of Herodias? Of Salome? I would not ask whether you wish to be in John’s place, because I wish such a cruel end on no one. But let the faithfulness of John the Baptist remind us that belonging to the truth and faith in God are the only path to eternal life and true happiness!