JOHN THE BAPTIST BEHEADED

Passage: Matthew 14:1-12

Key verse: 5

NIV

John the Baptist Beheaded(A)

14 At that time Herod(B) the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus,(C) 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist;(D) 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(E) because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,(F) 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”(G) 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.(H)

6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests 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(I) 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.(J) Then they went and told Jesus.

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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Death of John the Baptist

14 (A)At that time (B)Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, 2 and he said to his servants, (C)“This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3 For (D)Herod had seized John and bound him and (E)put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,[a] 4 because John had been saying to him, (F)“It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And though he wanted to put him to death, (G)he feared the people, because they held him to be (H)a prophet. 6 But when Herod's (I)birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, 7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And (J)his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 14:3 Some manuscripts his brother's wife
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Herod's guilty conscience (1,2)

When Herod heard about Jesus, he thought about John the Baptist. Jesus also preached repentance. He spoke about the kingdom of God and he healed many people. Herod had committed a terrible sin against God; he had killed John, God's servant. He lived in fear because of his sin and guilt. Of course, Jesus was not John! But guilt and fear made Herod think that John had come back to haunt him. 2. Herod's weakness (3-12) Herod was a king, but he could not rule his own family. When John rebuked him for his immoral life, he did not repent; he put John in prison. Herodias had no scruples. She coached her daughter to ask for John's head. Herod was too weak. He was a slave to his wife, his guests, his pride and his fear--so he had John beheaded. An immoral lifestyle seems to be an expression of freedom, but it makes even a king a slave.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Jesus who alone sets me free from sin and pride and fear.

One Word: Don't be a slave; repent