This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!

 

 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.  

 

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.  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."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  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."  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.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

 

- Mark 6:14–29 

 

 On Saturday we read that Jesus came to His own country of Nazareth in Galilee, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And may hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."  Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.  And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.   He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.  

 

  Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  My study Bible informs us that this King Herod is the son of the one who slew the infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16).  The one responsible for what is called the Slaughter or Massacre of the Innocents was also known as Herod the Great, king of Judea.  His son, the King Herod of today's reading, was known also as Herod Antipas, and he ruled over Galilee.  The Herodian dynasty ruled for Rome: Herod Antipas was tetrarch of Galilee.  Although he was technically a governor, he was popularly called king.  My study Bible explains that, as Herod known that John the Baptist had worked no miracles while living, he now believes John was raised from the dead, thinking that powers are at work in him.  Therefore, he fears John more dead than alive.  

 

  Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  Elijah was expected to return and to work signs before coming of the Lord (Malachi 4:5).  My study Bible comments that the Prophet is interpreted by some to be a reference to the Messiah, the One whom Moses foretold (Deuteronomy 18:15), while other interpret it as simply meaning that a new prophet had arisen.  

 

  But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.   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.  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."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  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."  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.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.  The account of Herod Antipas' story with John the Baptist is given parenthetically here; that is, we're given a "backstory" in order to explain John's earlier death so that we understand why Herod would think that John had risen from the dead.  My study Bible comments on the fact that Herod, with his wealth and soldiers, feared John, a man who lived in poverty and was clothed in camel's hair (Mark 1:6).  It notes that this is a testament both to the power of personal holiness and integrity, and also to the people's understanding of John.  St. John the Baptist was held by the people in the highest esteem; he was revered as a holy man (Mark 11:32).  

 

  This language of the opportune day reminds us of the temptation of Christ by the devil as He fasted in preparation for His public ministry.  Luke 4:13 tells us, "Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time."  Here is another opportune time for the works of evil, this time through the cunning of Herodias, and the blindness of her daughter.   It seems that just the right temptations are here before Herod; it's the right time and place to implement a plan that will work for the evil ends of Herodias to rid herself (and her king) of the presence of St. John the Baptist.  Note how temptations work on Herod.  He's subject to grandiosity of course; but perhaps this is "normal" for a king of his time and place.  But this is a dangerous sort of grandiosity which can easily get a person of power into a lot of trouble, and cause him to make bad decisions, errors of judgment.  It is a weakness.  Here it is his birthday party, a time when a seemingly rather spoiled and temperamental person is at their most weak in terms of the need for gratification of all desires, being the center of attention.  Note how his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee are all assembled for this birthday feast.  It is before these men that he swears his oath.  There's another temptation here, and that is the lasciviousness that seems to be stirred by the dancing of the daughter of Herodias.  It seems to be something that would have been scandalous to the Jews, to allow a daughter to expose herself in this sense to these men.  But it works indeed to provide just the incentive for a rash and stupidly expansive promise to be given by Herod to this girl:  "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."   The girl goes to her mother, to find what she should ask for, indicating that she really doesn't seem fully able to think for herself, and her mother, being the extremely ambitious and unethical person she apparently is, goes after the most monstrous thing she could ask:  the head of John the Baptist.  Note that in terms of personal wealth or gain, she could have asked for "up to half" of Herod's kingdom.  But she doesn't, and neither does her mother advise her to do so.  Moreover, the girl adds an imaginative, macabre twist to her mother's demand, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."   And so it was, St. John the Baptist's head was brought to this birthday celebration on a platter, as if it were one more dish at the feast.  This is the story of John's martyrdom; and in many icons he is shown bearing his head in this way (see the photo of a mosaic at this blog post, for example).  Herod's weakness extends to his conscience, and his overriding concern for saving face before his court:  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.  In some sense, this king who is a slave to his passions and therefore weaknesses is an antithetical contrast to the person and character of St. John the Baptist.  John is his opposite:  one who has served God in all ways possible in his life, and an extreme ascetic in so doing.  His life has been lived without the comforts of the world, forgoing traditional community for his life of ascetic poverty which would become the model for Christian monasticism to come.  Herod's story (and that of his wife and her daughter) is a cautionary tale for Christians, because it teaches us about our own weaknesses, how our need for indulgence of various kinds on display here can lead to evil results in our lives.  Herod is on display as a kind of paradigm of all that was wrong with the pagan world, but nonetheless forms an image of things we might see from the pages of our own newspapers and tabloids, with modern figures of those grandiose and indulgent and wealthy enough for every excess without limits or spiritual discipline.  The beheading of John, and especially his head being presented on a platter at this dinner, is also a kind of double suggestion:  beheading would have been the easiest or "kindest" way to die at the hands of the Roman Empire.  But that it was demanded and served on a platter gives us a bloodthirsty hint of human sacrifice linked with cannibalism, also once common to the ancient world, and suggestive of the religious practices of the enemies of the ancient Jews and their opposition to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Let us remember in this context that Herod's family was meant to be nominally Jewish, even if they served for Rome.  All we need do is to consider the restrictions on contact with blood for Jews to see how truly scandalous this story is.  Let it remain a caution to us today.  For John the Baptist, and those monastics who would follow in the Church, humility before God and hospitality to others served as the greatest virtues, the gateway to all others.   In a time of excess, tremendous wealth, and unlimited freedom, our choices remain more significant than ever as to who or what we will follow, and what traditional disciplines of faith and the Church are meant to serve for our lives.  Herod's fear tells us all we need to know about what is truly stronger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

   Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.  

 

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.  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."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  Immediately she came in with haste to th king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  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.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples hears of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

 

- Mark 6:14–29 

 

Yesterday we read that Jesus came to His own country of Nazareth in Galilee, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house." Now He could do not mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.   And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.  And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. 

 Now King Herod heard of Jesus, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  This King Herod was the son of the one who slew the infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16).  His father was known as Herod the Great, and the king in today's reading is Herod Antipas who rules for Rome over Galilee.  Although he was technically called a governor, my study Bible explains, he was popularly called king.  He knows that John the Baptist worked no miracles while he lived, but now -- because of the events of the first apostolic mission of Christ's disciples -- he believes that John was raised from the dead, thinking that powers are at work in him.  So, therefore, he fears John more dead than alive.

Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  Elijah was expected to return and work signs before the second coming of the Lord (Malachi 4:5).  The Prophet, according to my study Bible, is interpreted by some to be a reference to the Messiah, the One foretold by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15), while others interpret it to simple mean that a new prophet had arisen.  

 

 But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.   The account that begins here, and that makes up of our reading for today, is given parenthetically, explaining John's death and how it came about, so that we can understand why Herod fears that John has risen from the dead.  My study Bible comments on the fact that Herod, with his wealth and soldiers, feared John, a man who lived in poverty and was clothed in camel's hair (Mark 1:6).  It notes that this is a testament both to the power of personal holiness and integrity, and also to the people's perception of John, for he was held in the highest esteem (Mark 11:32). 

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.  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."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  Immediately she came in with haste to th king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."  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.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples hears of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.  My study Bible tells us that, as part of God's plan of salvation, John's martyrdom allowed the coming of the Messiah to be announced to the souls in Hades, for John was the forerunner of Christ there as well as in our world.  It notes that the beheading of John the Baptist is remembered on August 29th in the Orthodox, and also in other Churches, both Catholic and Protestant.  An Orthodox hymn sung at Matins for this day declares, "Your tongue, which constantly speaks of God, has preceded Christ into death and is sent to preach Him to those in Hades."

Note the scandalous bloodthirstiness and indulgent lascivious nature of Herod's court on display.  These are things that surely scandalized the Jews under Roman occupation.  First of all there is John the Baptist who is clearly a representative of the Law.  (In fact John is considered to be the last and greatest of the Old Testament type prophets.)  He is imprisoned in the first place because he chastises the king and queen in that their marriage is unlawful; for Herod's brother had been married to her and he is still living.  But even Herod knew that John was a just and holy man.  Therefore, he heard him gladly.   The language of the text is indicative of something evil coming into play, when we read, 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.  For this is the same language we read in Luke's Gospel, after Christ's temptations by the devil.  Luke 4:13 reads, "Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time."   What provides the opportunity for the martyrdom of John the Baptist is the setting of Herod's birthday party, and more specifically Herod's undisciplined susceptibility to flattery and vanity.  His nobles and "chief men" are present, he allows himself to swear an oath to the girl whose dancing impressed him (again, scandalous behavior to the Jews, to parade a daughter in this way among all of these men), and his inability to say no although he knows John to be a "just and holy man."  It's the opportunity for Herodias' power-hungry and murderous behavior, directing her daughter to ask for such a horrific "present."  We can only imagine what a hideous and bloody scene that was, like a special dish presented on a platter and given to the daughter, and a daughter trained to be dutiful to her mother's evil behavior in turn putting it before her mother like a special dish prepared for this birthday feast.  Herod and Herodias, due to their maneuvering for power, would die in exile themselves.  But all of the story speaks to passions run amuck and used for perverse purposes, the "opportune time" for evil influence.  And the result is that when Herod hears later of Jesus, he fears that it is John who has arisen from the dead, imagining that John has returned with a kind of arcane power to use.  What we might observe here is the progression from bad to worse, and how giving in to our passions allows unforeseen consequences and bad actors to manipulate us in our weaknesses and temptations.  It enforces for us the importance of repentance and of self-knowledge, of learning to say "no" to self-indulgence, and especially of the need for the practice of discernment and prayer to keep us on a good road in our lives.  For the word of God is "living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" as St. Paul tells us (Hebrews 4:12).  This Word, we know, is Christ, and He is the way, the truth, and the life that we need to guide us through our vulnerabilities (John 14:6).  Let us always remember God.

This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him

 

 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philips's wife.  Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."  And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.  But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.  Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter."  And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.  So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.  And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus. 

 

- Matthew 14:1-12 

 

Yesterday we read that it came to pass, when Jesus had finished teaching His parables (see Matthew 13:1-52), that He departed from there.  When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  Is this not the carpenter's son?  Is not His mother called Mary?  And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us?  Where then did this Man get all these things?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."  Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

 

  At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."   We know by now that the Pharisees and scribes have begun to plot how to destroy Jesus (see, for example, this reading).  Yesterday's reading (above) gave us the understanding of Christ's rejection in His hometown of Nazareth.  But here the Gospel begins to let us know of the powerful state of Rome now taking an interest in Jesus, and fearing Him.  Herod has heard of Christ's "mighty works" and His wisdom, and his fear is that Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead -- and that this is why these powers are at work in him.

For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philips's wife.  Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."  And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.     This account of the beheading and death of John the Baptist is given as a kind of parenthetical story, to explain to us why Herod fears so strongly that Jesus is John the Baptist returned from the dead with fearsome powers.  This Herod is Herod Antipas, ruler or tetrarch of Galilee.  John the Baptist had criticized his marriage to Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, while his brother was still living, by saying it was not in compliance with Jewish law.  So Herod had put John in prison.  Note all the fears of Herod:  he feared the multitude, because they counted John as a prophet. 

 But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.  Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter."  And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.  So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.  Note this story about the death of John the Baptist.  It is a festive occasion, Herod's birthday.   The daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.  For the Jews, such a public act by a daughter before a court of men would have been scandalous to begin with.  But Herod is carried away by his passions, and promised even with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  Of course, the daughter turns to her mother, (likely the one who prompted her to dance to please the king in the first place) who schools her in the ways of corruption and political scheming.  "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter" is her request.  Although the king has enough awareness to be sorry (after all, he is at least nominally meant to be a Jew and was raised as such), because of his oath and because of those who sat with him (the "great men" of Galilee), he sent and had John beheaded in prison.  

The story in today's reading comes with a very sobering two-point conclusion:  And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.  There is first of all the extreme corruption of the court, of the court of Herod who ruled for Rome.  The family of Herod the Great (Antipas' father) and his descendants was known for its ruthlessness even in comparison with his counterparts of the time.  We can see what a "bloodthirsty" story is written here, an almost sickening example of a daughter's pleasing gift to her mother.  But we must take it in light of the reading from yesterday, in which Jesus taught that "a prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house" (see above).  For the story of John the Baptist is a story of another prophet -- the last and greatest in the line of the Old Testament prophets -- who has died for telling the truth, for his holiness, for "speaking truth to power" as a by-now familiar modern slogan goes.  The truth of John the Baptist was his identity as the friend of the Bridegroom, who rejoiced to hear the Bridegroom's voice, and who proclaimed the coming of the Messiah/Bridegroom, teaching the people to prepare with repentance.  In this story juxtaposed with that understanding we are perhaps given yet another picture in the gospel of what it means not to repent.  This final conclusion is one more downward step in a march further and further into corruption.  Even Herod himself is sorry to kill John -- and we can read the outcome in his paranoid fears (and lack of spiritual understanding) about Jesus.  The actions at Herod's court go from bad to worse, and they reflect specific things Jesus has taught against in the Sermon on the Mount.  There is first of all the lasciviousness of the court hinted at in this dance of the daughter (Matthew 5:28).  Modern eyes and ears may not understand this well, but we perhaps should not read this story as if what was impressive was her formal dance training or creativity.  She stirs the passions so that Herod lavishly bestows a rash gift -- together with an oath (see Matthew 5:33-37).  He is afraid to take back his words in front of the other important men of his kingdom who attend, and so displays another quality frowned on by Christ, the love of the praise of others over the praise of God (John 12:42-43).  Finally, the disciples of John come to take his body to bury it, and to tell Jesus.  But at this sad conclusion we should turn our attention to the perspective of our faith.  For we have recently read of Christ's strong praise of John (while he was in prison), and His defense of John as well (see Matthew 11:1-24).   John the Baptist wears the crown of Christian martyrdom, but there is more to his story from the perspective of the Church.  In the tradition of the Church, John's martyrdom is seen as yet another part of God's plan for salvation.  For not only did John prepare the world for the Incarnate Christ, the Messiah, but his martyrdom allowed the coming of the Messiah to be announced to the souls in Hades.  Therefore, in the eyes of the Church, John is forerunner to Christ there as well as on earth.  My study Bible quotes a hymn from St. John's feast day:  "Your tongue, which constantly speaks of God, has preceded Christ into death and is sent to preach Him to those in Hades."   Moreover, John's life is a testimony to the power of personal holiness and integrity, as my study Bible says.  For John, who lived in poverty and was clothed in camel's hair (Mark 1:6), is feared by Herod with all his wealth and soldiers -- as well as the highest esteem in which the people held John.  Even after his death, John continues to be feared by Herod.  Let us consider, then, these stark choices between the realities of the material world, on "worldly" terms, and the reality of the Kingdom and its holiness for us.  For it is surprising how much the world, despite our easy lack of perception and understanding, really is affected by the holy power that is at work behind all things, and does permeate the creation of the world.  Let us consider John's life and what it meant to the future of the world, to the faith given to the world through Christ, and in the power of the faith we are given today.

 

 

 

I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter

 

 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.  

Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.  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.  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."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  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."  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.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

 

- Mark 6:13–29 

 

Yesterday we read that Jesus came to His own country of Nazareth in Galilee, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."  Now He could do not might work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.  And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.   

And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.  This verse was also included in yesterday's reading; as noted there my study Bible comments that to anoint the sick with oil has not only medicinal value but also sacramental.  God' healing power is bestowed through creation, and there are various examples of such throughout Scripture (Mark 5:27; Numbers 21:8-9; 2 Kings 13:21; John 9:6-7; Acts 5:15, 19:1-12).  In such a way, oil is also a vehicle of God's mercy and healing in the Church (James 5:14).  This verse, however, seems to be included with today's reading so that we understand the one that follows.  The disciples' successful first apostolic journey, manifesting the casting out of demons and healing via Christ's shared power, sets the context in which Herod has become aware of Jesus.

 

 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."   This King Herod is Herod Antipas, the son of the one who killed the infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16).  Although technically a governor, my study Bible says, he was popularly called king.  Although he knows that St. John the Baptist worked no miracles while living, Herod now believes that John has been raised from the dead, and the things happening in Christ's ministry are powers at work in him.  Therefore, my study Bible points out, he fears St. John the Baptist more dead than alive.  

Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  These are still references to the observed power at work in Christ's ministry.  Elijah was expected to return and to work signs before the coming of the Lord (Malachi 4:5).  The Prophet, according to my study Bible, is interpreted by some to be a reference to the Messiah, the One foretold by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15).  But others interpret it as meaning simply that a new prophet had arisen. 

But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.  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.  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."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  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."  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.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.  My study Bible explains that this account of the death of St. John the Baptist is given parenthetically.  That is so that readers will understand that his earlier death has resulted in Herod thinking that John had risen from the dead. 

 

 There is a lot to "unpack" in today's reading.  It's most interesting in terms of what we might observe about Herod Antipas, and in fact, about the whole lineage of Herod the Great.  This was a family known for its bloodthirsty practices even in a time when ruthless power and ambition were something normal for rulers.  We already know of Herod the Great (Herod Antipas' father) and his slaughter of the innocents of Bethlehem, and we can learn something from it to give us insight into what we read here of the behavior in Herod Antipas' court.  First let us understand that Herod Antipas in today's story is the ruler of Galilee, and that he rules for Rome.  His brothers ruled other provinces of Israel.  We first note that Herod begins to become suspicious and even paranoid as he makes note of the "powers at work" in the apostles and generally speaking in the ministry of Christ.  As he is a king who serves Rome, part of a family of ruthless rulers who killed their own family members for power, he is always going to be alert for any other sources of power, or people who seem to wield power in his jurisdiction.  Like his father, who killed the infants of Bethlehem out of jealous protection of his own power when he heard about the birth of Christ, Herod Antipas also is going to jealously guard power and authority.  This will also extend to a desire to control whatever is of worth in the province, including those who are influential.  St. John the Baptist himself was a highly influential figure in his time, as he was popular with the people and widely seen as a holy man.  So, when John the Baptist denounced the marriage of Herod and Herodias, as she had been married to his brother and the brother was still living, this is perceived as a threat.  According to this story, it is particularly the ambitious Herodias who hates the Baptist for this, as John has suggested their marriage is not lawful.   Subsequent actions of this particular king and queen reveal their historical (and eventually, failed) ambitions, ending in exile.  But for now let us focus on the story, because it exposes all the unleashed and unregulated desires of this court.  To have a daughter dance before powerful men would have been scandalous to the Jews in the first place, and yet this is fine for Herodias.  It is also used as part of her scheming ambition.  Such is the hatred of Herodias for John that she wanted to kill him.  But Herod himself is a little more sophisticated with regard to the power of holiness, in the sense that he understands John is something special and different, set apart.  Herod knew enough so that he feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  Moreover, John must have obliged somewhat the king's curiosity and possible desire to learn from him, because when he heard John, John did many things, and Herod heard him gladly.  But this is Herod's birthday, and he's in an expansive mood.  He gave a feast on his birthday for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.  He's so carried away by the dancing of Herodias' daughter in front of himself and all of these important men of his kingdom, that he swears to her a rash oath:  "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  There is a reason why this proves to be an opportune day as the Evangelist describes it.  Herod is vulnerable to his passions and has let them get the better of him; Herodias has understood this and will make the most of it.  She eagerly advises her daughter, who has such little sense of herself that she must ask her mother what to request.  Herodias has a ready answer for the daughter who seems merely an extension of herself:  "The head of John the Baptist!" Her daughter takes this vivid and bloodthirsty sense yet another step further:  "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."   It's seems an illustration of the principle behind Jesus' indictment of the scribes and Pharisees:  "For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves " (Matthew 23:15).  Although Herod is exceedingly sorry, He does not have the courage nor the discipline to stand up to the pressures of the court.  So, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.  It's in some way reminiscent of St. Peter's collapse of nerve before a servant girl when he denies Christ three times (Luke 22:55-62).  So in Herod's court, and in his conduct, we see the excesses of extreme passion:  ruthless ambition, a lack of all proper respect for boundaries (including the protection both of holiness and of human life), an inability to "lose face" in front of the great men of his court, a young girl's seductive dance.  All of these are antithetical to traditional Christian values of discipleship, and the point of seeking self-mastery in the disciplines of the church, including the ability to be humble, to "bear a little shame," in the words of one Orthodox priest who writes authoritatively on that subject (see this book by Fr. Stephen Freeman).  Herod has no self-control, even though he has some kind of awareness of holy power; he has no ability to say no in these circumstances.  And there, we come to the traditional practices of Lent (fasting, almsgiving, prayer), and their aim to help us to develop greater spiritual self-discipline -- and especially a greater detachment from our passions.  Every indulgence is here, and so are the bloodthirsty and deeply unjust results.  Note this is especially true of the lack of respect for innocence, whether it be of a child (Herodias' daughter) or of the holy man and prophet, St. John the Baptist.  The other sense of "appetite" at play here is the desire to claim more power.  There are two types of power at work to contrast:  the holy power of Christ's ministry including now in His apostles and that of St. John the Baptist, and the material power of Herod and the rest of his court.   We have recently been given to understand the response of Christ's neighbors from His hometown to the abilities He expresses; they both marveled and were offended (see yesterday's reading, above).  John's holy power elicits similar responses:  Herod marvels over his prisoner and has a curiosity as if examining a rare jewel or delightful new discovery, but Herodias is deeply offended and envious of St. John's capacity to limit her ambitions and material power.  Here we meet with the force of envy that will be the ultimate culprit in the desire to murder Jesus (Matthew 27:17-18).  For a holy power such as the one that works in Christ's ministry is not to be owned nor controlled nor limited by anybody; neither can it be harnessed for an exploitable outcome or end.  This holiness may, in fact, touch any of our lives.  But it will be up to us to either receive it and follow where it leads us, or we will stumble in the attempt to exploit it and use it.  Let us consider how priceless the gift of grace, and how we so easily stumble, as the Scriptures teach us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter

 

 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.  Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.  And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.  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.  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."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  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."  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.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

 

- Mark 6:13-29 

 

Yesterday we read that Jesus came to His own country of Nazareth in Galilee, and His disciples followed Him.  And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue.  And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things?  And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And are not His sisters here with us?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."  Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.  Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.  And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff --- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.  Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.  And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.  Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"  So they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.   

 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.  Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.   Jesus has sent out the twelve disciples on their first apostolic mission.  This King Herod was the son of the one who slew the infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16).  Commonly he is called Herod Antipas, and he was tetrarch of Galilee.  Although he was technically a governor, my study Bible says, he was popularly called king. 

And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  Others said, "It is Elijah."  And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets."  But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"  Herod now believes that Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead, thinking powers are at work in him.  Therefore, my study Bible says, he fears John more dead than alive.   Some suggest that Jesus is Elijah, as the prophet Elijah was expected to return and work signs before the coming of the Lord (Malachi 4:5).  The Prophet is interpreted by some as a reference to the Messiah, the One foretold by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15), but others interpret it to mean that a new prophet had arisen.

For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.  Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him.  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.  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."  He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."  So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?"  And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"  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."  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.  Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought.  And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.  These verses, in which we're told the story of the death of John the Baptist, are given parenthetically by Mark, in order to explain why Herod believed that John the Baptist was returned from the dead.  John's objection to Herod's marriage to Herodias was based on the fact that her previous husband, Herod's brother, was still living, as a violation of Jewish law.  While the dynasty of Herod the Great ruled for Rome, they at least sought to observe an appearance of Jewish heritage.  My study Bible asks us to note that Herod feared John while he was living; he knew that John was a just and holy man.  Herod, as ruler of Galilee for Rome, had wealth and many soldiers, and yet he feared John who lived in poverty and was clothed in camel's hair (Mark 1:6).  My study Bible suggests that this is a testament both to the power of personal holiness and integrity, and also to the people's perception of John, for he was held in the highest esteem (Mark 11:32).  

 

 The story of the death of John the Baptist gives us a kind of preview of the death of Jesus, in the sense that it shows a ruthless material world on display in which power and the desire for power rules all.  In the death of John the Baptist we see the meeting of the holy within a world ruled by those like the family of Herod.  It should be noted that even in a world dominated by clashing powers and kingdoms, and expanding empire and military might, the dynasty of Herod had a particular reputation for cruelty, tyranny, and brutality.  Herod the Great (the father of the Herod -- known as Herod Antipas -- in today's reading) is known not only for the story of the murder of the children of Bethlehem, but also exiled one wife and son in favor of another woman who could secure his royal position, and later executed several members of his own family, including his second wife.  In the story of John the Baptist's death we're given a story of vindictiveness and cruelty; Herodias' desire is to punish John for criticizing her marriage to Herod Antipas.  At least her husband has somewhat of a consciousness of awe of John's righteousness and holiness, but she seizes the occasion of a rash promise made to her daughter to secure her own vengeance and punishment on an enemy who is already imprisoned.  Using her daughter, manipulating Herod, and having John's head presented to this dinner party of nobles, high officers, and chief men of Galilee, is a visceral way to display ruthless power -- even a kind of image of cannibalism of anyone who gets in the way of ambition.  And as a historical figure, she was clearly an ambitious woman.  Unfortunately her own scheming resulted in disastrous defeat and exile for herself and Herod Antipas, in which they lost a war fomented through territorial disputes engendered by their marriage.  Eventually accused by a nephew of plotting against Caligula, Herod Antipas and Herodias were exiled to Spain, where they died at an unknown date.  For all their plotting and cruelty, only disaster and more death and destruction resulted.  But such is the world into which John the Baptist, last and greatest of the Jewish prophets and forerunner to Christ was born.  This was the world into which John brought his message of baptism of repentance in preparation for the coming of the Lord.  My study Bible comments that as part of God's plan of salvation, John's martyrdom allowed the coming of the Messiah to be announced to the souls in Hades, for John was the forerunner of Christ there as well as on earth.  The story of the beheading of John the Baptist enforces for us the viewpoint of the Scriptures on our world, that Christ enters as Physician and Savior to heal a world in which evil permeates, made worse through the sinful and selfish choices of human beings.  It should be understood that the practices of the Herodian court were scandalous to the common people and also to the pious religious leaders such as the Pharisees in their own time.  But in a modern context, we can look at this story and see the hallmarks of ambition, envy, and ruthlessness unchecked by any understanding of religious faith or God's call in our lives.  The vicious behavior of Herodias is a model for us of the end result of frustrated entitlement and greed taken to its conclusion of extreme rage, magnified through lack of restriction and unchecked by social barriers in its expression.  When we look at this story, we might be able to understand some of the stranger results of extreme ambition we occasionally read about in newspapers, a reminder of the dangers of life without the mediating effects of religious faith in a God who calls us to righteousness and compassion.  This lurid and cruel story may be taken as an extreme expression of what we might call "lawlessness" in religious terms, but nevertheless functions as a cautionary tale in circumstances where ambition for power is all, and selfishness is the only standard, even among family members.  For the world still needs our faith, and the chaos of life outside its mediating influence is still far too close at hand.  In this context, Christ's preaching of repentance and humility remain necessary as ever.

This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him

 

 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.  Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."  And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.  But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.  Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter."  And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.  So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.  And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

 

- Matthew 14:1-12 

 

In yesterday's lectionary reading, we learned that after Jesus had finished teaching in parables, He departed from there.  When He had come to His own country of Nazareth, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  Is this not the carpenter's son?  Is not His mother called Mary?  And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not with us?  Where then did this Man get all these things?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."  Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

 

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."   Jesus has become well-known enough so that by now Herod Antipas, who is the ruler or tetrarch of the region of Galilee, has heard of Him.  The subsequent text in today's reading is given as a flashback, teaching us why Herod fears that Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead, and Christ's marvelous works are due to "these powers . . . at work in him."  John the Baptist had performed no miracles, but now Herod believes he is risen from the dead; my study Bible comments that Herod thus fears John more dead than alive.

For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.  Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."  And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.  But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.  Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter."  And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.  So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.  And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.  The account of John's death is given parenthetically, explaining how John died so that the hearers of the Gospel would understand why Herod would think that John had risen from the dead.  My study Bible comments on the fact that Herod, with all of his wealth and soldiers, feared to put John to death.  Although John was a man who lived in poverty and was clothed in camel's hair (Matthew 3:4), this is a testament both to the power of personal holiness and integrity, and to the multitude's perception of John, for they held him in the highest esteem (Matthew 21:26).  

If we look at the character of Herod, we see in him personified a type of immature individual, one who is specifically spiritually immature, but exemplary of what we don't want to be as a fully mature person.  He has a spoiled type of persona, as one who is used to getting what he demands.  In the times we read that he has John the Baptist in custody (Mark 6:20), and also when Christ is given into his custody by Pilate (Luke 23:7-12),  Herod seems to take a kind of delight in them as conspicuous objects of curiosity.  He wants to see a miracle performed by Jesus.  He listens to John both in a kind of fearful and also fascinated way.  He knows the responses both John and Jesus excite in the people, and for him they almost seem like objects in a zoo, something that comes into his possession and which he seeks to observe.  But for him, faith doesn't come into it, nor does spiritual understanding of the power of holiness.  There is only fear as a response to what he perceives to be powers at work.  As we can read from the pathetic story of John's death, Herod is a man who uses wealth and power to indulge himself, and therefore we find a root of selfishness or self-centeredness as motivation in what he does.  He doesn't seem to understand much else, although he delights in the dancing of Herodias' daughter.  His response is foolish at best; as one who indulges in his own exuberances, he rashly promises her on an oath anything she desires.  Let's keep in mind this is done before those of great importance in his kingdom; Mark's Gospel tells us he gave a banquet on his birthday for the nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee (Mark 6:21).   Herod's rash and foolish behavior gives us a sense of a person without much discipline, who has not developed a sense of integrity in a spiritual or moral sense.  Moreover, we should understand that the dancing of Herodias' daughter before him and the rest of the company present would be seen as scandalous and unthinkable to the earliest hearers of the Gospel, inciting lust for the girl in a culture where the modesty of women was not simply important but also necessary for protection.  So overall we're given a picture of great indulgence, a sign of immaturity and lacking of spiritual discipline and discernment -- and resulting in a terrible tragedy which Herod most likely cannot calculate or appreciate except in terms of his fear of John risen from the dead in Jesus.  Herod is a picture of what spiritual discipline is meant to tame, and spiritual virtue meant to balance and cultivate a response to so that we become truly "great" human beings.  He is a slave to his own passions, whether that be for Herodias, or ambition, or power, or swearing a rash oath before the others there.  He indulges himself when he would be better off not doing so, but only because he can.  He is a picture of what great wealth or power can do to us when we have no development of  personal maturity and integrity to fall back upon to guide us.  In short, he seems to be one of the figures given to us in the Gospels as a cautionary example, and in great contrast to the sacrificial elements which are notable in the lives of the holy people we read about.  John the Baptist, Jesus, and all of the apostles and other followers such as the women who support Christ's ministry are those who are willing to make sacrifices for something greater than merely what they can grasp as material gain in life, and consequently possess something far greater and contribute to what is truly good in the world.  There are other Gentile examples as well, such as the centurion who shows great faith in Christ (Matthew 8:10), and the Samaritan woman to whom He reveals Himself (John 4:39-42).  But Herod creates disaster, and will go on to do the same for himself in the end, if we read about the subsequent histories of Herod and Herodias.  If we look around ourselves, at the present time we live in a world of great potential prosperity.  We can watch films or see popular culture in which self-indulgence seems to be the marvel of the day:  those with great wealth and power can impress with clothing, homes, possessions of every kind, and where fame is also a commodity in and of itself.  These things, true to Christ's teachings, present great temptations for those who have no commitments beyond self-centeredness.  They often enable a type of self-destruction, whether that takes the shape of obvious things like destroyed relationships, addictions of any kinds, or harmful behaviors that contribute negatively to the society in their impact and influence, including violence and abuse of others.  If we look with the eyes of Scripture, we understand that what Jesus and the other holy figures in Scripture offer are a way forward to building a good life within good contribution to community and to our world -- as well as a secure life built on a foundation of integrity and strength (Matthew 7:24).  To live merely through self-indulgence might be a dream on offer to us in a culture which excels at creating material wealth and products which please the appetites, for good or bad.  But without the maturity of an internal spiritual discipline we lose integrity and discernment in how to use the good things and blessings of our world, the products of our intelligence, and possibilities of creativity.  Let us understand the strength of the spiritual life, and the maturity and fullness it offers to us in terms of shaping persona and integrity.  We can look at Herod and those like him as clues to the things that ail us.

 

 

Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter

 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.  Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."  And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.  But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.  Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter."  And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it be given to her.   So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.  And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

- Matthew 14:1-12

Yesterday we read that when Jesus had finished giving the parables (we've read in chapter 13), He departed from Capernaum.  When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  Is this not the carpenter's son?  Is not His mother called Mary?  And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us?  Where then did this Man get all these things?"  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."  Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.  Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."  And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.  But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.  Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter."  And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it be given to her.   So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.  And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.  Here Matthew gives us the story of the beheading of John the Baptist.  My study bible notes that John is viewed by the Church as part of God's plan of salvation.  Having been the Forerunner of Jesus' ministry, preparing people for the Messiah, he does the same in Hades, announcing Christ to all souls there as well as in the world.  He's further remembered for obedience to the Law and as defender of marriage in particular, in condemning Herod's unlawful marriage to his brother's wife.  Under the law, she should not have been married to Herod while his brother (her former husband) was still living.  Ultimately, this is the reason the ambitious Herodias wanted him dead, and took advantage of her opportunity to have him beheaded. 

In yesterday's reading, and other recent readings, we noted the increasing hostility and rejection Jesus is facing.  His ministry in the world is not something that will be universally accepted.  The open hostility of the leadership is leading to their eventual plan to destroy Him.  At this point in Matthew's Gospel, yet another note of rejection and hostility is interjected into the text, with the horrible death of John the Baptist.  It's a truly gruesome scene, worthy of any horror film, in which a queen asks for a man's head on a platter to be served at the king's birthday party.   We note something about Herod:  he's sorry to put John to death.  Not only is it important that the people consider John to be a true holy man, but Herod rather delights in curiosity about the holy (Mark 6:20).  He will also seek to be "entertained" by Christ when He is in Herod's custody, hoping to see a miracle done by Him.  But Jesus' failure to respond will result in further cruelty and condemnation (Luke 23:8-11).  Here in the text is martyrdom, but it is given in a flashback.  For now Herod's fears, after the horrific beheading of John the Baptist, lead him to suspect that perhaps Jesus is John returned from the dead.  There is an element of paranoia here that tells us about guilt and power -- the abuse of manipulative power used against the holy.  Herod Antipas is not truly a believer.  He is a Roman king, but nominally Jewish because he rules over the Jewish territory of Galilee.  His curiosity about the holy resembles a collector of entertaining objects, or unusual animals that might be kept in cages for amusement.   It is purely material in nature, and is not inspired by faith.  This materialist perspective goes hand in hand with ruling power, with a life led by manipulation and what can be grasped.  Herod's father, Herod the Great, was known not only for his ambitions and tremendous building projects (he remodeled the temple in Jerusalem and turned it into one of the architectural marvels of the world) -- but also for his extreme cruelty even in a time when rulers were expected to be ruthless.  The Kingdom, the text tells us, not only comes into the world among those who are nominal believers who reject the gospel message, but also into the world of cruelty and force.  It comes face to face in encounter with state power that knows expediency for its aims, and stark ambition that stops at no obstacle or objection in order to attain its goals.   This is the root of martyrdom, that the holy is present for all things in this world.  John stood up to face the danger involved in condemning an unlawful marriage, and Jesus will also come face to face with the most extreme measures of worldly power and the death it wields.  We may still marvel at the ruthlessness we encounter here, and the awesome courage of the holy and those who will be the messengers of the Kingdom.   We observe Herod dwelling in fear, and Christ's exhortation to fearless witness (10:24-26).  We still live in this world of cruelty, harshness, expediency.  Where does the Gospel come into the world around you?    We must know that those who've shown us the way let nothing stop its message and witness; they continued despite every challenge the world would provide to them.  Where are those challenges for you?  What fears do they prompt?  We still face the same dynamic, even if it's hidden in sophistication and advancement in concepts of rights and freedom.  The expediency of material power and manipulation will always play a role in our world.  What fears do you face in living out the gospel message and the discipleship of participation in this Kingdom?  Where does Christ's courage take you?

Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter

 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.  Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."  And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.  Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter."  And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.  So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.  And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

- Matthew 14:1-12

 In yesterday's reading, we finished chapter 13 of Matthew's Gospel -- the chapter in which He introduces the use of parables to His ministry.  The chapter began with Jesus teaching the parable of the Sower and giving its explanation in private to His disciples (see 13:1-23).  He then gave the parable of the Wheat the Tares,  and the parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven.  Once again in private, the disciples asked Him to explain the parable of the Wheat and the Tares to them. Finally He taught His disciples the parables of the treasure in a field, the pearl of great price, and the dragnet.  When Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there.  When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  Is this not the carpenter's son?  Is not His mother called Mary?  And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us?  Where then did this Man get all these things?  So they were offended at Him.  But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."  Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."  For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.  Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."  And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.  We're told that Herod the tetrarch, hearing about Jesus, fears that John the Baptist has returned from the dead.  This ruler is also known as Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great.  It is the first time we're told that authorities of the Roman imperial government have taken notice of Christ's ministry (although nominally a "Jewish" king, he governs as representative of Roman rule).  The gospel then proceeds to tell us why precisely Antipas has this fear about Jesus.   Herodias, his wife, had been married to an elder son, called Philip in the text, who seemed in line to succeed their father, Herod the Great, after his eldest surviving son plotted against him and failed.  But knowledge of the plot and failure to report it led Herod the Great to drop Herodias' husband from succession in his will just days before his death.  Herodias then divorced her husband (legal for Roman women, but not for Jewish women), and she later married Herod Antipas while her first husband was still living.  Thus, this is the basis for outrage of the Jewish people, as a violation of Jewish law.  John the Baptist, as prophet, speaks openly against it.

But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.  Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter."  And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.  So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.  And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.  We are given a flashback of the gruesome story of John's death at the hands of Herod Antipas and the plotting of his wife Herodias and her daughter.  For the Church, the Baptist is not only understood as the greatest of the Old Testament prophets and herald of Christ, according to the word of Jesus (see 11:9-11).  He is also understood as defender and protector of marriage.  Moreover, his martyrdom is seen as allowing the coming of the Messiah to be announced to the souls in Hades, for John is "forerunner" there as well as on earth.  In John's obedience to God, he preferred death over compromise.  In his own time, John was revered as a holy man, both among the disciples of Christ and the Jewish people in general.

In John the Baptist, we see the great example not only of obedience but of service to God.  He is bold and fearless in his defense of God's word, the law given through Moses.  He speaks as one who defends the faith and the people, boldly 'speaking truth to power' as a common phrase would have it.  As martyr, he dies for his faith and for his role in salvation, serving the Kingdom as herald even to those in the tombs and who also await the light of Christ.  This is the way the Church sees him, and we must also keep in mind how his own contemporaries saw him, as true holy man and figure of greatness.   While we may consider our own contemporary practices of divorce to be much different from that time, we may still look at this picture of Herod Antipas' time and his court and consider the repugnant nature of worldly power and its violations of all things sacred here, the basis of any form of ethics.  Herodias is clearly a schemer and manipulator; even her own daughter is taught that the death of a holy man -- in such a horrific fashion in the image of his head upon the plate at a birthday feast -- is justified if it serves personal power.  Herodias was born into a royal family, orphaned by the execution of her father by Herod the Great, and given to her first husband by him as well.  Herod the Great's rule was known for its cruelty and even murderous plotting among his family, notorious even for its own time.  In that light, John's outspokenness serves as a reminder of the tremendous courage of those who seek God's word and will in all circumstances, even in times of the most fiercely vile practices in service to power, prestige, and worldly gain.  He stands as a beacon of light among great darkness, who fulfills his role as herald of the great Light coming into the world, and as prophet of God's word.  In the salvation plan of God, he is herald even to the souls of those who await Resurrection.  He remains an example of faith for all of us, as light in a time of darkness.