The Head on a Platter: Mark 6:14-29

Herod heard the reports from Galilee and felt cold terror creep up his spine. Jesus' name was everywhere—miracles, exorcisms, teachings that drew thousands. The superstitious tetrarch had only one explanation: "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!"

He should know. He was the one who had swung the blade.

The story unfolded in flashback: John had confronted Herod about his marriage to Herodias, his brother's wife. "It is not lawful for you to have her," the prophet had thundered, and the words echoed through the palace halls. Herodias wanted him dead. But Herod was afraid of John—afraid of his righteousness, afraid of the crowds who considered him a prophet, perhaps even afraid of the truth in his accusations.

So John sat in prison, alive but silenced. And Herod, in his twisted way, liked to listen to him. Mark says he was "greatly puzzled, yet he liked to listen to him." The fox circling the lion's cage.

Then came the birthday banquet.

Wine flowed. Officials lounged on cushions. Musicians played. And Herodias sent in her daughter to dance.

The girl moved through the hall—young, beautiful, provocative—and every eye followed her. Herod most of all. When the dance ended, drunken pleasure loosened his tongue: "Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you—up to half my kingdom."

She ran to her mother. "What should I ask for?"

Herodias had waited for this moment. Her answer was immediate: "The head of John the Baptist."

The girl returned and added her own twist of cruelty: "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter."

Herod's face went pale. He did not want to kill John. But his oaths, his guests, his pride—they trapped him. He sent the executioner.

In the dungeon, John heard footsteps approaching. Perhaps he thought he was being released. Instead, the sword fell.

The head was delivered on a silver platter, carried through the party like a grotesque appetizer, presented to the dancing girl, who handed it to her mother. Herodias finally had her vengeance. The voice that had condemned her was forever silent.

John's disciples came for the body. They buried him in a tomb, then went and told Jesus.

The forerunner's work was done. The one who came after him would walk the same path to death—but his tomb would not hold him.