Mark 6:17-29

Herod sent to have John arrested, and had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, ‘It is against the law for you to have your brother’s wife.’ As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him; but she was not able to, because Herod was afraid of John, knowing him to be a good and holy man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him.

An opportunity came on Herod’s birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.’ And he swore her an oath, ‘I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What shall I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the Baptist.’ The girl hurried straight back to the king and made her request, ‘I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head, here and now, on a dish.’ The king was deeply distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he was reluctant to break his word to her. So the king at once sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John’s head. The man went off and beheaded him in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

This is an unusual Gospel passage because Jesus is not in it, at least not directly. But it has some parallels to Jesus’ passion and a warning of what discipleship can bring.

Just before this passage are verses talking about Herod’s belief that Jesus was John brought back from the dead after Herod had him killed. This passage explains why Herod thinks thast John is dead – because Herod had him executed.

There are similarities in how John and Jesus are killed. Both are put to death by weak rulers at the request of other people. John by Herod at the request of Herodias’ daughter, Jesus by Pilate at the request of the Sanhedrin.

Herod and Pilate both seem to have been impressed by the innocence of their victims, but neither had the strength to stand up to the pressure put on them by others.

Perhaps John is a warning of what it may cost to fulfil the role of a prophet. Speak truths that powerful people don’t like and bad things can happen.

Yet Jesus also shows that even death need not be a defeat. Following God faithfully can overcome even death. A big ask of us, but also a comfort. Whatever trials we may face, if we faithfully follow Jesus an eternal reward awaits us.