Matthew - Week 44

Herod's Assessment 

READ 

Matthew 14:1-2 

1 When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus, 2 he said to his advisers, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.” 

This Herod was a son of Herod the Great who was responsible for killing the babies of Bethlehem when Jesus was born. Herod Antipas is also known as “the tetrarch” because he ruled one-fourth of Palestine. He was also the one Jesus appeared before in His trial before His crucifixion. This Herod had put John the Baptist to death. Now he is haunted by the fact that he thinks this Jesus he has heard about is actually John the Baptist raised from the dead. This is the only way he could explain the ability of Jesus to do such miracles. 

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes been concerned about your past behavior? Have you been able to realize that if you have trusted in Jesus, His blood cleanses you from every sin? 

RESPOND 

For some background of the behavior of Herod the Great, see Matthew 2:16-18. For the behavior of Herod Antipas, see Luke 23:6-16. Both figured prominently at the birth and death of Jesus.  

John's Judgment 

READ 

Matthew 14:3-5 

3 For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). 4 John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet. 

Matthew now gives background information about the death of John the Baptist. Herod wanted to kill John because John had confronted him about his immorality. Because so many believed the mission of John, however, Herod relented from killing John.  

REFLECT 

Have you experienced opposition from speaking out about immorality? 

RESPOND 

With a friend, read Romans 1:18-32. This passage reveals God’s judgment on immorality. 

The Daughter's Request 

READ 

Matthew 14:6-8 

6 But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, 7 so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. 8 At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” 

This reveals what the occasion was that caused Herod to allow the life of John the Baptist to be taken. He promised to give Herodias’s daughter whatever she wanted. Because of her mother’s urging she requested John’s head on a tray. What a horrible request, but now Herod was boxed in. What would he do? 

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes made a pledge to do something that you later regretted? What did you do about it? 

RESPOND 

Talk with another believer about not being quick to make vows you may not be able to keep. See what Jesus said as recorded in Matthew 22:36-40. He was answering a question about the greatest commandment. Follow these instructions and leave the details to God, without making unnecessary vows of what you think you should do.  

John's Death 

READ 

Matthew 14:9-11 

9 Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. 10 So John was beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 

Herod regretted his vow but was forced into an embarrassing situation because of what he had promised Herodias’s daughter. This was peer pressure at its peak, and Herod permitted John the Baptist to be beheaded because he had made the vow publically. What a sad ending to the life of one who was a forerunner to announce the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. 

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes given in to some wrong behavior because of peer pressure? 

RESPOND 

Read Psalm 119:2-4 about not compromising with evil. Pray with a fellow believer, asking God to keep you from compromising your testimony because of peer pressure. 

Reporting to Jesus 

READ 

Matthew 14:12 

12 Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened. 

How sad the disciples of John the Baptist must have been as they took his body and buried it. They knew who would be the saddest of all, so they went to tell Jesus about John’s death. How do you think Jesus reacted when He learned the sad report? 

REFLECT 

How have you reacted when you learned of a dear friend’s death? Was there a significant difference in how you felt if you knew the person was a believer in Jesus? 

RESPOND 

For comfort while mourning a Christian friend’s death, read John 11:25 to see what Jesus said at the time of Lazarus’s death. This verse applies to all believers in Jesus.