.png)
John the Baptist was beheaded because he spoke truth to power about the Herod family’s wickedness, and he openly condemned the “unlawful” and ungodly marriage between Herod Antipas and Herodias who was not only Antipas’s niece but his brother Herod Philip’s ex-wife (Luke 3:18-19).
Antipas was Israel's tetrarch but he was under the Roman Empire's thumb. Herodias was a princess in the Herodian Dynasty.
They were the couple from hell in that particular illegitimate noble family overseeing Israel, and as usurpers of King David's Dynasty, the Herodian line was a client-state controlled by the Roman elite.
This was not the Davidic lineage, the House of David and Solomon that Jesus and the kings of Israel lived in before Babylon, Greece and Rome ruled Jerusalem.
Forbidden Marriage
Hebrew Israelite Jewish law under God’s commandments in the Holy Bible forbid marrying close relatives including your living brother’s ex-wife (Leviticus 18:16; 20:21; Deuteronomy. 25:5).
When John the Baptist pointed this out to Antipas, who did not come from Hebrew Israelite lineage, Herodias became even more blinded by rage and immediately called for the prophet to be killed.
But her husband Antipas respected John and did not want him dead to perhaps avoid upsetting the occupied Jewish people (Mark 6:19).
Herod Imprisons John the Baptist
Even though Antipas “heard John gladly,” he threw him in prison at the behest of his wife, apparently hoping she would be appeased.
Antipas and his brother Philip were sons of Herod the Great but had different mothers.
The Herod royal family dynasty was a “puppet” rulership in Israel for the occupying Roman Empire under emperors Caesar Augustus, Tiberius and provincial governor Pontius Pilate.
Similar to King Ahab and Queen Jezebel in the Holy Bible, Antipas was a weak ruler who was largely influenced by his wife.
Not for the better.
He was perhaps also afraid of a Jewish revolt and uprising if he killed John the Baptist. So John sat in prison still alive and that fact enraged Herodias (Matthew 14:1-12; Mark 6).
Herodias and Salome
Antipas held a royal feast with extravagant decorations, robes, dresses, attendants, food servers, the best dancers and musicians. In attendance were his military commanders and other elite Israelites stationed in Galilee.
Herodias’ and Phillip’s daughter who was also Antipas’s great-niece plus step-daughter named Salome danced for Herod and apparently charmed him and the military elite n to the point that Antipas promised to give Salome anything she wanted.
After consulting with Herodias, Salome came back to Antipas and said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head in a charger.”
John the Baptist Beheaded
John the Baptist was then beheaded while imprisoned.
And his head was brought to Salome in a “charger” or a large decorative plate.
Salome then brought John’s head to Herodias.
The Aftermath
Although He died a brutal death, John the Baptist's legacy was fulfilling prophecy as the forerunner of Christ.
The Baptist is not usually thought of as the first Christian martyr. That honor usually goes to Stephen.
But John's legacy remains that of utmost importance to Christianity because he set the stage for the Lamb of God Jesus Christ to take center stage in Judea.
Christ ministered in Jerusalem as the legitimate king of Israel while the usurping Herod Dynasty and the Romans were in control. Of course the non-Jewish elite and their client Jewish leaders all wanted Him dead during his ministry.
Many people knew about Christ before His ministry actually began, thanks to The Baptist.
There is no revolt or honorable uprising reported in the Holy Bible after John the Baptist's beheading - just like there was none after Jesus was crucified.
The Roman Empire was perhaps too powerful for the Israelites to do anything. Plus the Herod Dynasty was a puppet lineage who did the Roman elite's bidding.
John the Baptist's followers quietly bid him farewell, gave him a proper burial and relayed the news to Jesus.
Christ then journeyed to Israel’s desert followed by a mass of people. It was there that the Lord fed the 5,000 with a few fish and loaves of bread.
I’d like to end by stating that I’m glad the Holy Bible leaves certain details out. For example, after Salome brought John the Baptist’s head to her mother, who knows what Herodias did with it?
The Bible does not say and perhaps rightfully so (Matthew 14:1-12; Mark 6).
Herodias seems like such an evil woman that she would be capable of doing anything with the beheaded baptist, including cannibalism, making lamps, curtains or clothes out of his skin – like the Nazi’s reportedly did to skinned Jews.
So, I’m glad the Bible leaves those details out.
Now.
If you found something new or just enjoyed this post, then search our archives and please continue to look for a lot more from Christian Commander.
Comments