Mark 6:14-29

The story of the execution of John the Baptist is, apart from the record of Jesus's trial and crucifixion, one of the darkest pages in the New Testament. Herod Antipas had at one time visited his half-brother, Herod Philip, in Rome. There he persuaded Philip's wife, Herodias, to desert her husband, while Herod Antipas deserted his wife to marry Herodias. It was a scandalous arrangement, contrary both to the laws of the Jews and the laws of God.

John the Baptist boldly denounced the entire affair, with the result that he was thrown into prison at the fortress of Machaerus. In spite of his debased character, Herod Antipas maintained a certain awesome respect for the fearless preacher and was, apparently, not at all inclined to do any more than to keep John in prison.

Herodias had nothing but hatred for John, so she waited for an opportune (convenient) time (Mark 6:21) when she might persuade her husband to put an end to John's life. That occasion presented itself when Herod invited the nobles of his realm to his palace at Machaerus to celebrate his birthday. After his step-daughter had danced for his guests, Herod, probably in a drunken stupor, offered to give the girl anything she might ask of him up to one half of his kingdom. Actually, he was powerless to dispose of any of his royal estate without the express permission of the Emperor in Rome, under whom Herod held office as a tributary sovereign or tetrarch.

Herodias took this opportunity to get even with John, and at her suggestion, Salome (whose name we hear from the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus) requested the head of John the Baptist on a platter. The moment that Salome expressed her wish, Herod regretted the rash promise he had made. To save face with his guests, however, and because he believed that an oath was binding no matter how ill-advised it might be, he ordered that John should, then and there, be beheaded.

When word came of the wonders that Jesus was performing, not far from Machaerus, the face of John the Baptist rose accusingly before Herod (perhaps his conscience). Surely, he thought, John had risen from the grave to torment him, and perhaps, indeed,t o punish him for his evil deed. The inference is that Jesus decided, in light of Herod's guilty fears, that it was wise to leave the territory of Herod's dominion, for his time had not yet come.