Matthew 14:1-12
¹At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, ²and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
³For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. ⁴For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
⁵Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet. ⁶But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, ⁷so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.
⁸Having been prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
⁹Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests. ¹⁰He sent and had John beheaded in the prison.
¹¹And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.
¹²His disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.
Devotional
The royal family of the Herods was not of Jewish origin, but came from Edom (descendants of Esau). The Herod we encounter in Matthew 2 is Herod the Great.
Anthony, one of the men in charge of the reorganization of the Roman state, appointed him as vassal king of Palestine. He is king of 37-4 v. Chr. (Our era is impure. The year of Jesus’ birth is several years before the beginning of our era.). The royal family of the Herods ruled several generations long (up to 39 n. Chr.), the Jewish land. Generally they were suspicious and cruel rulers, even to their own relatives.
In this context also fits the event which is this passage.
John the Baptist had the courage to talk to King Herod Antipas (King 4 v. BC – 39 n. Chr. Over Galilee and beyond the Jordan), a son of Herod the Great, about his wicked life. This was the wife of his half brother Philip. He took her in order to strengthen his dominant position, a very common act with a political background.
John the Baptist was caught in prison because of his criticism. He did not fit into the framework of the power and politics of this Herod. It finally literally took John’s head.
Jesus’ ministry is essentially very threatening for King Herod Antipas. He thinks that John the Baptist is risen again and occurs in the Lord Jesus. Now even endowed with supernatural gifts (vs. 1.2). A new danger. Hence his curiosity to see Jesus, which later plays, in Jesus’ arrest (Luke 9: 7-9, respectively. 23:6-12).
A striking observation in this passage are the words that testify to the cowardice of Herod Antipas when he did not deny the wish of the daughter of Herodias, Salome, because of those who were reclining with them (verse 9).
Desires in man to dominate, are often accompanied by feelings of insecurity and cowardice.
This is a clear lesson for us in these verses.
Jesus calls us to a life of service (cf. Matthew 20:25-28; 23:9-12).
Question
How would you rate your own reactions to the Lord Jesus? (Eq 1 Colossians 12:4b.)
Prayer suggestion
Ask the Lord to help you to be truly humble.
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