Mark 6:14–29 (ESV)
The Death of John the Baptist
14 King Herod
heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He
is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17 For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother
Philip’s wife, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20
for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.
21 But an opportunity came when Herod
on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 For when Herodias’s daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you
wish, and I will give it to you.” 23 And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of
John the Baptist.” 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his
guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison 28 and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave
it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
There is something about beheading someone that is very raw and evil. We hear about John the
Baptist’s death, where Herodias plans to have John killed. Herod made a mistake when he told Herodias’s daughter “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” Herod put himself in a bad position and it
cost John his life. We have had several beheadings in the news lately and it has rattled us all. I’m sure John’s death was a reminder to Jesus as to what his future holds. John was faithful unto death. Jesus also was faithful
unto death. We to are to be faithful unto death.
I pray: O Lord, help me to be stand firm in my faith and to be faithful unto death. Almost all of the Apostles died from persecution, yet
the remain models to be imitated. Let me not fear death, but to trust your promised of eternal life. Amen.