Matthew 14:1-12 The Death of John the Baptist

In Herod the tetrarch or Herod Antipas we have an example of a life dominated by fear. His father, Herod the Great, was a very able but cruel and ruthless leader killing some of his wives and sons to keep his power. It was this Herod who massacred the children of Bethlehem when he felt threatened by Jesus' birth. A father who is capable of killing his sons is not a comforting figure in the life of a child, but a disturbing one. I speculate that Herod Antipas feared his father. 

At his father's death, his kingdom was split in four (that's where the title "tetrarch - a quarter" comes from). Herod Antipas was made king over Gallilee (Jesus' hometown) and Perea. His brothers were made kings of other territories in Palestine. Antipas divorced his own wife to marry his brother Phillip's wife. Understanding the background of the family, I infer there was a great competition among them as kings and that Herod Antipas feared his brothers.

Due to his marriage with his brother's wife, John the Baptist called him to repentance since it was unlawful for him to be with his brother's wife. Tired of hearing John's accusation against him, Herod imprisons John. But he does not kill him because he fears the reaction of the people. Herod was not well liked among the Jews (he was of Edomite descent and had built a city where there was a cemetary - unclean) and he did not want to hurt his popularity any more. In a flashback, Matthew explains how John was killed and why. Herod's sorrow is not for John, but for the difficult situation that his promise got him into.

Herod's theology surfaces when he hears about Jesus and his miracles. He deduces that Jesus is John the Baptist resurrected and that is why he is able to perform miracles. His pagan background comes to light where it is believed that the dead can come back among the living.  Herod fears the spirit world and Jesus as a possible threat to his life and kingdom.

Herod chose to ignore John's warnings and call to repentance. When Jesus was before him, he only desired to see some sign done by him. Jesus only served him to patch up his relationship with Pilate. When Caligula became Caesar, Herod was accused by his own nephew of conspiring against the emperor. Herod was thrown into exile with his wife and died of an unknown death. He lived with many fears and his worst nightmare became true. Herod is an example of the unrighteous life and the consequences of such a living.

Father, guide my life day by day to make righteous decisions. May Jesus' righteousness fill my life and enable me to follow in his footsteps. May I fear you above anything else on earth so that I may enjoy life everlasting. Amen.