“ ^{Mark 6:24} And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. ²⁵And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist. ²⁶And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. ²⁷And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, ²⁸And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.” (Mark 6:24-28; Matthew 14:8-11)

The immediate ministry of John the Baptist has come to a close. He will now minister indirectly, being held in high regard by all who believe on Christ Jesus. His influence was most remarkable. Twenty-five years after this event, in Corinth Greece, over 1,700 miles as the crow flies, Apollos knew only “the baptism of John” (Acts 18:25). Twenty-seven years later, Paul would encounter some disciples of John in Ephesus Asia, over 1,300 miles away as the crow flies (Acts 19:1-5). What a staggering influence he had – even beyond the region of Canaan. His popularity was unparalleled – until the time came when he must yield to the Son of God, for whom he was preparing the people. We are reading of his decrease – a decrease in the area where Jesus preached. Yet, the nobility of his ministry did not pass away, nor did the effectiveness of his call to repentance. The spotlight was removed from him, but he was not consigned to the sea of forgetfulness. There is something to be learned in all of this. The fact that God’s servants are not in the limelight does not mean they are no longer known, nor that their ministry has come to an end. To this very hour, John the Baptist continues to minister to the hearts of men whose desires are bent toward heaven.

“^{Mk 6:24} And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. ²⁵And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.”

WHAT SHALL I ASK? Although the details are not provided, it was Herodias who arranged for her daughter to dance lustfully before Herod. Now, even though Herod has told her he will give her whatever she wants, up to the half of his kingdom, she returns to the one who commissioned her for further directions. This was Herodias’ desire, and not her own.

This is the manner in which Satan works, tempting and luring simple souls into his snare. Like Herodias, he does not divulge his purpose at the first, but gradually draws unsuspecting souls into his trap, so they will have no alternative but to do his will. Thus Paul wrote, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Cor 11:3). You see this lived out in the daughter of Herodias. She is sent into an environment that tended to weakness. She performed a deed that allowed for the extensive expression of the flesh. She was then provided with an appealing opportunity. Thus, blinded to the malice of her mother and the vacillating nature of Herod, she is brought where moral slavery was inevitable.

Therefore we are given the solemn admonition, “Neither give place to the devil,” an “opportunity,” ^NASBor a “foothold” ^NIV(Eph 4:27). Satan can “fill” a person’s “heart,” just like he did in the case of Ananias (Acts 5:3). He can “get an advantage of us” (2 Cor 2:11), but he does so subtly, leading men into areas where they are easily vulnerable to his tactics.

So, caught in the snare of Satan’s purpose (for he was behind this whole matter), the daughter goes to her wicked mother for further instructions.

THE HEAD OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. Matthew’s account omits the daughter returning to her mother, and simply reports the summation of the matter: “And she being instructed of her mother.” There was no hesitation on the part of Herodias. She had intended this from the very beginning. It only remained for her to set the snare, even though John was no longer in public life, being bound and incarcerated. Herod had even done this “for Herodias’ sake” (Mk 6:17). However, being dominated by Satan, that was not sufficient for Herodias. It was not enough to curtail his activity, or merely remove John from public life.

There is a very real hatred that “the flesh” has for the things of God and those who declare them. As it is written, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom 8:7). This “enmity” is also against those who speak the Word of the Lord. As Jesus prayed on the eve of His betrayal, “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14).

There is such a thing as being in a state where the Word of God will be vigorously opposed – a state where a person will resort to any means to rid themselves of the thunder of God’s Word. It may drive the convicted ones to stone Stephen (Acts 7:58-59), and do so to Paul as well (Acts 14:19). There are no depths to which “the flesh” will not stoop to stop the sound of God’s messengers. Unlike the time of Herod, the “earth” is helping “the woman” in our place and time (Rev 12:16). It is not lawful in our land to resort to such open opposition. But do not be deceived by this circumstance. Just as surely as the fact that Herodias “could not” openly kill John (Mk 6:19) did not dampen her hatred of him, so what appears to be accommodating circumstances has not demolished the hatred of this world for the sons of God. Those dominated by “the carnal mind” will hate and oppose those who lift their voices against iniquity. They will extend themselves against the saints as far as they are able, and will have no regrets for doing so.

SHE CAME WITH HASTE. The daughter of Herodias wasted no time, lest Herod’s fluctuating mind change. Even though it was an extremely repulsive thing that she was told to do, she did it with haste, smothering any tendency to be merciful. She was “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb 3:13). Do not imagine for a moment that you can yield to the devil without becoming eager and swift to do the very things that mandate condemnation. In this case, the daughter’s feet were “swift to shed blood” (Rom 3:15). I WILL THAT . . . Matthew reads that she said, “Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger” (Matt 14:8). Mark says that she “asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.” Matthew accents the request, while Mark places the stress on it being a response to Herod’s word, “ask of me” (Mk 6:23). Matthew says this is what Herodias “instructed” her to do (Matt 14:8). A “charger” is a dish, plate, or platter. “Silver chargers” were used in the tabernacle service for meal offerings (Num 7:13-85). Now the request is made for a most unique use of a platter – so present the head of the man of God.

“ ²⁶ And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.”

Herod has played into the hands of the devil in a number of ways. First, he did not go out to hear John the Baptist, but was content to be acquainted with him from afar, even knowing he was a holy man (Mk 6:20). Second, he did not pursue his interest in Jesus (Matt 14:1). Third, he did not give heed to the word of John, when told it was not lawful for him to have his brother’s wife (Mk 6:18). Now, an occasion will arise that he will not be able to resist. He has played the fool for too long! The unlawful marriage in which he found himself would now result in one of the most despotic acts of human history.

SORRY – BUT NOT SORRY ENOUGH. When Herod heard the request of Herodias’ daughter he was not only “sorry,” but “exceeding sorry,” or “greatly distressed.” ^NIV Other versions read, “deeply distressed,” ^NAB“made very sorrowful,” ^YLTand “deeply pained and grieved and exceedingly sorry.” ^AMPLIFIED As deep as his sorrow was, it was not deep enough. His was not a “godly sorrow” which “worketh repentance,” but “the sorrow of the world” that “brings death” ^NIV(2 Cor 7:10) – not only of Herod himself, but of John the Baptist as well.

We do well not to confuse this kind of sorrow with “godly sorrow.” Wherever there is no repentance (and Herod did not repent), there has only been superficial sorrow – a sorrow that will soon pass, leaving not so much as a single benefit behind.

Some people, like Cain, cry out that their punishment is too great (Gen 4:13). Others, like Esau, bitterly weep over their errors, yet “find no place for repentance,” and thus are “rejected” (Heb 12:17). Still others are like Judas who “repented himself,” being “seized with remorse,” ^NIVyet can do nothing but despair and take their own lives (Matt 27:3).

We do well not to be unduly impressed by such carnal sorrow. It is never attended by repentance or holy resolve, and this is unworthy of even the slightest dignity. A sorrow that is not followed by a hearty change of mind is utterly worthless. It may be dignified by the wisdom of this world, but it will not be honored in heaven.

FOR HIS OATH’S SAKE. Herod had sorrow all right, but he also maintained his desire to be honored and respected by men. He had taken an oath before his subordinates, and he would rather them respect his word than preserve God’s holy man. His oath was hasty and foolish, and even he knew this. Yet, he refused to admit it. It is no wonder that believers are solemnly told, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). There is such a thing as a rash vow. Jephthah made one when he said he would offer to God the first thing that met him – and it proved to be his daughter (Judges 11:29-40). Another was when the Israelites determined to destroy the Benjamites (Judges 10:1-21:25). Solomon pointed out how foolish it is to make a vow, considering it later, rather than before it is made: “It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry” (Prov 20:25).

Thus, Herod placed a greater value on his oath than on the life of John the Baptist.

FOR THEIR SAKES. Herod chose to please men rather than confess the error of his oath. To him, it seemed a greater disadvantage to be perceived in an unfavorable manner by his staff, than to be seen as supporting and defending a man of God.

It is no wonder that Paul wrote, “. . . do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Gal 1:10). And again, “ . . . so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts” (1 Thess 2:4). Even servants are told to avoid being “menpleasers” (Eph 6:6); much more, those who occupy positions of authority.

Get the picture. The meal, or banquet, was still, going on, and Herod was so distracted by the occasion, that he ignored his own conscience in favor of those gathered about him: “nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat . . .” (Matt 14:9). Let no person imagine for a moment that “evil communications” do not “corrupt good manners” (1 Cor 15:33). It is still true, “a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Prov 13:20).

It is not by mere chance that David spoke so clearly about the matter of the company men keep. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psa 1:1). Herod was, in fact, being counseled by the ungodly, standing in the way of sinners, and sitting in the seat of the scornful. In such a circumstance, there is no question about what he will do. When a person – any person – chooses to be in such a situation, all moral and spiritual power leaves, and the victim is left under the total control of the wicked one.

HE WOULD NOT REJECT HER. It is no wonder, therefore, that we read, “he was unwilling to refuse her,” ^NASBor “he did not want to slight her [by breaking faith with her].” ^AMPLIFIED Her request was a bad one, and he knew it. He was sorry to hear what she had said, but overcame his sorrow by actually desiring to do what she said – for ignoble reasons.

“²⁷ And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, ²⁸And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.”

IMMEDIATELY. Thinking only of how he would appear to his court, Herod immediately “sent an executioner,” Some versions read, “sent forth a soldier of his guard.” ^ASV The idea is that Herod immediately summoned someone in the vicinity who had a suitable weapon. Matthew says that he “commanded it (John’s head) to be given [to] her” (Matt 14:9). It was wrong, yet Herod ordered it to be done immediately. He was sorry, and his conscience smote him, yet Herod made no delay in fulfilling the stated desire of Herodias’ daughter. Flesh does not tarry! Some professing believers tarry, but “the flesh”

COMMANDED HIS HEAD TO BE BROUGHT. This command was given during the banquet, as his court “sat at meat with him.” Now they would see how he was a man of his word – dependable, and to be trusted – at least that is what he thought! There are some people who cannot implement their own wicked will, and we are thankful for it!

HE BEHEADED HIM. A grotesque picture, indeed! The soldier who was dispatched “went [and] beheaded John in prison.” ^NIVThe sons of Rimmon beheaded Ishbosheth after they had killed him, brought his head to David (2 Sam 4:7-8). David “cut off” the head of Goliath after striking him to the ground with a stone (1 Sam 17:51). The Philistines “cut off” the head of king Saul after finding him dead (1 Sam 31:9). But John apparently died in the beheading itself – in the prison, with not so much as a spark of mercy.

HE BROUGHT HIS HEAD TO THE DAMSEL. The execution brought John’s head in a platter as he was commanded, and “presented it to the girl.” ^NIVApparently the daughter remained at the birthday celebration until the dastardly deed was done. I do not know if she had ever seen John the Baptist before. If so, this was indeed a grisly introduction!

Of course, when flesh has its way, it is not repulsed by the most gruesome sights – particularly when they implement its own will. There are no depths to which flesh cannot descend. It is like a “bottomless pit.” Woe to the person who ventures to open it!

THE DAMSEL GAVE IT TO HER MOTHER. The daughter of Herodias took the platter, or “charger,” on which John’s head was placed, and “brought it to her mother” (Matt 14:11). Mark says she “gave it to her mother.” Herodias told her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist to be given to the daughter herself. However, the daughter knew well that this was no gift to her, but was wholly intended to be given to her mother, who was plagued by the continued presence of John the Baptist.

Thus ended the life of one of the greatest men who ever lived. Jesus said that among those “born of women,” there had not “arisen a greater than John” (Matt 11:11). Luke says, “a greater prophet” (Lk 7:28). Yet, now he is dead – beheaded at the whim of Herodias, wife of a man who liked to listen to him. It appeared as though Herodias had won the controversy between them. But no person of sound mind thinks this is the case. What takes place in this world – all of it – will be subject to thorough examination on the day of judgment. It is then that the final word will be delivered on the matter. All earthly judgments are tentative. If they are proper judgments, they will be ratified and confirmed on the day of judgment. If they are flawed judgments, they will be thrown down and overturned on the day of judgment, and God will overcome (Rom 3:4).

Those who imagine that godly men are always made “the head” in this world (Deut 28:13) are far from being right, even though such words may sound good. Abel the righteous was killed by Cain the wicked. Holy prophets of God were slain by wicked Jezebel (1 Kgs 18:4,13). Zachariah the prophet was slain “in the court of the house of the Lord” (2 Chron 24:21-22). Stephen was stoned by the Jewish council (Acts 7:58-60). James the apostle was killed by Herod – the son of the Herod who killed John the Baptist (Acts 12:2).

In all of these cases, it appeared as though the ones martyred lost, while their oppressors won. However, the record has been left for us to read, not to cause us to fear the world or our enemies, but to remind us that their cases will be fully resolved on “the day of judgment.” While the death of these men occurred at the hand of their enemies, the judgment of their enemies will be accomplished as the ones they slew take the judgment seat, judging the world (1 Cor 6:2).

In the meantime, we are not to be unduly alarmed when we are hated, maligned, and even aggressively opposed by the ungodly. We are strangers in this world, they are not. That means that the very worst we can possibly receive is in this world, while the very best our enemies can receive is also in this world.

I look forward to the day of judgment when Herodias, her daughter, Herod, his court, and the executioner will stand before John the Baptist

. They were all complicit in his death – all of them! Just as surely as Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel “gathered together” against Christ (Acts 4:27), so all of these were gathered together against John.