(Text and Audio)
Title: The Beheading of John the Baptist
So after 4 months in the parable-filled chapter 13 of Matthew, we finally arrive at the beginning of chapter 14, which couldn’t be more different. Chapter 14 is a largely narrative chapter that covers 4 main events in the life and ministry of Jesus and how he reacts to them.
The first of these events is the story of the beheading of Jesus’ cousin, the forerunner of the Messiah, John the Baptist.
Now, before we begin reading in our passage today, let me say this: Matthew’s account of this story can be rather confusing. There are a lot of similar names, and Matthew writing style in this passage can confuse the chronology of these events.
Fortunately, this event, the death of John the Baptist, is also recorded in the other synoptic Gospel, Mark and Luke, and by comparing and referencing those passages, this account in Matthew is made much more clear.
In order to teach this passage with what I hope will be full comprehension, I’ve decided to present the material a little bit differently than usual, but I think it will help us get all we can from this passage. By asking a series of clarifying questions, my hope is that the material in these three Gospel accounts will become clearer to all of us. Let’s get started.
(read/pray)
- Who Are the Characters?
The first thing we need to do to help clarify any confusion, is to consul the parallel accounts in the other Gospel, which occur in in Mark 6:14-29 and Luke 9:7-9.
With all three of these passages, we can begin to put this together in a way that makes sense.
The Characters:
- Herod the tetrarch: This is King Herod, aka Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great. He was a “tetrarch” (ruler of a dependent state) of Galilee and Perea. (See Mark 6:14) His father, Herod the Great, is the one who ordered the census and slaughter of all Hebrew boys under 2 in Matthew chapter 2. Jesus and his family, escaped to Egypt and returned only after hearing news of Herod the Great’s death.
- John the Baptist: Jesus’ cousin (Luke 1), The forerunner of the Messiah (Matthew 3), The one who later wondered if Jesus really was the Messiah and sent his disciples while he was in prison.
- Herodias: Herod’s current wife, Herod’s brothers (Herod-Philip) ex-wife.
- The daughter of Herodias: Most likely the daughter from Herodias’ previous marriage to Herod-Philip. According to the Jewish 1st century historian Josephus, her name was “Salome.”
Are we having fun yet?
- What Was The Chronology of the Events?
This is something that can be confusing if we only look at the Matthew account, but comes into easier focus when we look at the Mark account as well.
- After Jesus’ baptism and trial in the desert, Jesus and John the Baptist go their separate ways with their ministries. We don’t read of them coming together again.
- At some point in the ministry of John the Baptist, he speaks out against the loose morals of the Herods, and rebukes Herod the tetrarch for taking his brother Philip’s wife.
- This angers Herod and he desires to have John killed, but the masses love John and believe he is a prophet. Herod does not want to upset the masses so, instead of killing John, he has him put into prison.
- Sometime during his stay in prison, John sends his disciples to ask Jesus if he really is the Messiah, and that’s understandable. (Matthew 11).
- During Herod’s birthday party, Salome, his step-daughter, dances for him and he is so pleased that he publicly declares he will give her anything she wants, up to half his kingdom. (Mark 6:23) This must have been some dance!
- Mark records that Salome goes and asks her mother, Herodias, what to ask for, and Herodias tells Salome, “Ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
- Herod is regretful, but he can’t backtrack, and he obliges Salome.
8. Some time later, Herod hears the stories of the miracles and teachings of one named Jesus of Nazareth, and his initial reaction is to conclude: “This is John the Baptist, he’s risen from the dead…” Why do you think that was Herod’s conclusion?
- What are the Conclusions and Applications?
1. John the Baptist didn’t hesitate to preach the truth, even to those who had the power to harm him if they didn’t like what he had to say. Application?
- Herod was afraid of John the Baptist for a reason, so much so that he doesn’t initially kill him, and when he hears of Jesus, he thinks it must be John the Baptist. Why do you think that is?
- Be VERY wary of oaths, especially public oaths. Jesus warns us against oaths in Matthew 5:32-37 during the Sermon on the Mount. Abraham takes a very public oath in Genesis 23 when he buys a field to bury Sarah in. He uses the power of a public oath to his advantage. We need to remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:37 “Let your ‘yes’ be your ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be your ‘no.’” (Kickstarter example)