1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.
6 On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
Our Lord’s fame spread like butter on warm toast all the way up to Herod the tetrarch. This ruler heard of Jesus’ mighty works and miraculous powers and immediately feared that the once dead John the Baptist had been raised to life again. Isn’t it funny that the lowly and obscure townspeople from which Christ hailed showed Him much disrespect thinking Him common and ordinary whereas now His Name begins to be found on the lips of the higher ups! Interestingly as well, when the Baptist was living, Scripture attributed no miracles to him yet fear coupled with guilt caused Herod to believe John had not only risen from the dead but possessed miraculous powers as well. We discover the following in the Gospel of John:
40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. Here he stayed 41 and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true.” John 10:40-41 (NIV)
The Baptist had been a troublesome thorn to Herod in that he had confronted him with his sinful lifestyle choice of taking his brother’s wife as his own. Faithful rebukes if they do not profit the hearers, only provoke them. Proverbs tells us:
8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. 9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. Prov 9:8-9 (NIV)
32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. Prov 15:32 (NIV)
The Baptist, therefore, not only had annoyed Herod but Herodias (his brother’s wife) as well. Herod believed if he took action of merely ridding himself of John by arresting him and placing him in prison, he would not upset the crowds flocking to the Baptist and could continue unhindered, uncontrolled and undisturbed in his wallowing in the mud as well. Herod neither wanted to change nor be convicted of his indiscretions. He just wanted to be left alone to wallow in them. It is true that a person convinced against his will is of the same opinion still and this particular case proves no different.
“Never, for fear of feeble man, restrain your witness.” C.H. Spurgeon
“The voice of God is a friendly voice. No one need fear to listen to it unless he has already made up his mind to resist it.” A.W. Tozer
In a series of events - on Herod’s birthday - he foolishly promises on oath to the daughter of Herodias whatever she desired for pleasing him with her dance. Her mom is out for the blood of the Baptist and advises her to ask for his head on a platter. Herod is distressed over the request and yet again fear of man begins to rear its ugly head in his life and this weak ruler acquiesces. Like a chicken, Herod has John beheaded in prison - in the cloak of night - for fear of an uproar of the crowds which followed the Baptist. Now upon hearing these reports regarding Jesus, Herod is filled with groundless fears stemming from the quilt of his own conscience. Yet his hardened heart remains unchanged feeling no sorrow for putting the Baptist to death or the slightest remorse over his sins. Herod feared man yet he did not fear God – big mistake.
“The only fear a Christian should entertain is the fear of sin. All other fears are from Satan sent to confuse and weaken us. How often the Lord reiterated to His disciples, ‘Be not afraid!’” Isobel Kuhn