Execution of John the Baptist

Setting and Overview
Matthew 14 starts with another indefinite marker of time. Around the time of our previous narrative, Herod the tetrarch (Herod Antipas) hears reports about Jesus’ miracles and teaching and comes to a strange conclusion: Jesus must be John the Baptist raised from the dead. Not only does this response seem extraordinarily strange to readers, but it introduces information that the readers of Matthew’s Gospel don’t yet have: John the Baptist is dead. Matthew then moves into an excursus for the next ten verses that tells us how John the Baptist died, and in doing so, tells us a lot about a man who will have a role to play in sending Jesus to the cross.

Exposition
After introducing the present time interaction between Herod and his servants, Matthew goes back in time to explain how John had died. Herod was one of the sons of Herod the Great, and he took over as tetrarch over Galilee soon after Herod’s death. Later on, he would divorce his first wife (an action which would have significant political consequences in the years to come but is not mentioned by Matthew here as it isn’t relevant to Herod’s response to Jesus) and marry the wife of his half brother (who was also his niece.) Because this was a violation of Leviticus 18:16 and 20:21, John the Baptist apparently condemned him for it directly and frequently. Although both Antipas and his wife Herodias had some desire to execute John for this, apparently Antipas preferred not to both because he was entertained by John and because he feared the response of his subjects (Mark 16:17-20.) So, he imprisons John initially but avoids executing him until Herodias is able to force his hand at his birthday party. At that party, which itself belies the Hellenistic influence of his lifestyle, his step daughter Salome (probably aged 12-14) dances for he and the guests. While the text does not specifically emphasize a sensual element to the dance, it is likely implied here. Impressed by her and wanting to show off for his guests, he vows to give her anything that she wants. Due to her age, she asks her mother what she should demand, and Herodias tells her to request John’s head on a plate (Mark 6:23-25.) Although Herod Antipas could have gotten out of his vow, he knows that it would make him look back and so he agrees to the request and John is executed. John’s disciples then come and get his body and go afterwards to tell Jesus, probably indicating that they were now going to follow him.

Examination and Application
Obviously the death of the one who baptized and pointed the way to Jesus is significant, but that likely isn’t the only reason that it is preserved for us in the Gospels. Not only does this incident reveal a lot about those in political power at the time, but Herod’s response in verses 1-2 reveal just how profoundly it impacted him. Although he may have appeared enormously powerful to most, his fear and weakness shine through in that moment and we can see how that plays into his role in sending Jesus to his crucifixion (Luke 23:6-25.) At the same time, Acts 4:27-28 make it clear that despite Herod’s evil intent, he is still completely under God’s sovereign control and rather than thwarting God’s plans, God is using him to carry them out. That is a great reminder to us as we see other examples in history and today of powerful and not powerful people acting in evil and destructive manners. Yes, as Christians we should exercise power and influence in a way that is completely distinct from such an example, and we should also fearlessly speak truth to power when possible as John the Baptist did. More than that, though, we should recognize that even as those in power do evil, God is still in control, and while we lament and mourn the sin of the world today, we remember that everything still works according to his plan and for his purpose.