John the Baptizer

Mark 6:14-29

"14 And king Herod heard of Him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in Him.

15 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.

16 But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.

18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:

20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

21 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;

22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.

26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.

27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,

28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.

29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb."

Today’s verses recount the execution of John the Baptist and Herod Antipas’s mistaken belief that Jesus was John raised from the dead. Haunted by guilt, Herod interpreted Jesus’ miracles as proof of John’s resurrection.

The account explains why Herod imprisoned John: the prophet had boldly rebuked the king for marrying Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. Though Herod respected John as a righteous and holy man and listened to him gladly, he ultimately yielded to pressure. On his birthday, Herodias’s daughter danced, prompting Herod’s rash oath. At her mother’s urging, the girl demanded John’s head. Bound by his oath and concern for his guests, Herod ordered the beheading.

Theological Reflection

This story foreshadows Jesus’ own death and underscores the cost of discipleship. Mark inserts it between the sending and return of the Twelve to show that faithful service often brings persecution. It also reveals how political power can be corrupted by unresolved guilt and fear of public opinion.

For Reflection

What does the death of John the Baptist; one greatly blessed by God, teach us about the cost of following Jesus?