1 When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus, 2 he said to his advisers, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.”

3 For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). 4 John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.

6 But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, 7 so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. 8 At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” 9 Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders.

10 So John was beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 12 Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened.

Matthew 14:1-12 (NLT)

Cousin killed

John the Baptist, if we recall from our earlier post on Matthew 3:1-6, was Jesus’ cousin. He was sent to call people to repent and be baptized, to prepare for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. It seems he was either loved or hated. Many people went to him and some became his disciples. But when Jesus arrived on the scene, he pointed them to Jesus. Even some religious leaders went to him. Others, however, hated him for what he stood for. Especially when he pointed out their sin for what it was – like Herod.

John’s persecution

John called a spade a spade.   Herod Antipas was the ruler of Galilee where John (and Jesus) were doing most of their ministry. He was also involved in the trial of Jesus (Luke 23:6–7). He didn’t like being “called out” in public for his sin so wanted to kill John. Herod loved power and control and feared an uprising so he just kept him in prison. Here we see he was eventually coerced to kill him.

John suffered the ultimate persecution for his faith and doing what God called him to do. He was killed. 

We’ll see in the next passage how this impacted Jesus.

RЯeflection

• Do we suffer persecution so severe that it leads to martyrdom? You and I haven’t experienced it…yet. But it does indeed occur in many parts of the world. Endure to the end. Pray for those being persecuted – and for their testimony.