Mark 6:14-29 Read the passage. I am going to comment on the historical setting in this passage. It is up to you to read the story.

Josephus records some of the horrendous acts of the Herod’s. These men were self-serving and respected no one else. They slaughtered anyone who threatened their throne, even if it was family. John condemned Herod for marrying Herodias. She was the wife of Herod’s brother. The story is laced with corruption. Herod made an agreement with Herodias, his brother’s wife, for marriage. She then divorced his brother so she could marry him. He also divorced his wife while he was away on a trip to Rome. To complicate matters further, Herodias was his niece. The capstone of the story comes with the following of John the Baptist. Here is Josephus’ thoughts on the influence of John:

2. (116) Now, some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod’s army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist; (117) for Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism; for that the washing [with water] would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away [or the remission] of some sins [only], but for the purification of the body; supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness. (118) Now, when [many] others came in crowds about him, for they were greatly moved [or pleased] by hearing his words, Herod, who feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion (for they seemed ready to do anything he should advise), thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties, by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it should be too late. (119) Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod’s suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I before mentioned, and was there put to death. Now the Jews had an opinion that the destruction of this army was sent as a punishment upon Herod, and a mark of God’s displeasure against him. ^[1]

Herodias hated John because he preached against the marriage. This all came to a head in this story. Herod had John executed to satisfy his wife. Unwittingly, when this took place, he caused the Jewish people to stand against him. The preaching of John was important before his death. Note above that Herod was afraid that John was going to lead a rebellion. Hence, the reason John was imprisoned. So, even though the blame is laid on Herodias, it was a mutual decision to be rid of John the Baptist. The story of Salome’s dance gives the setting for the execution of John. It also gave Herod a way to execute John without bringing blame on himself. He executed John to “save his honor”.

Now you can see Herod’s concern when the disciples were on their mission trip. Herod was hearing that the preaching of John the Baptist was going forth and it was augmented with miraculous events. Herod was concerned that John had indeed risen from the dead and was back to haunt him. Herod put down a possible rebellion by executing John. His was concerned because the people were saying that John had risen.

The thing that fed the idea in the people was the destruction of Herod’s army. His previous wife’s father went to war against Herod for the way that his daughter was treated. Areta’s army decimated Herod’s army.[2] This was seen by the people as divine judgment for the execution of John and fed the idea that John had risen.

There has been a lot read into this story to explain why Salome’s dance was so persuasive. The dance was probably a work of art. It was only a vehicle which Herod used to promote his own desires. I have seen many read into the dance to try to figure out why Herod was so moved by it. It’s almost as if Herod was a saint who was corrupted by his daughter’s dance. The truth is that Herod was no saint. Instead, this fit perfectly into his plans to get rid of John.

This is also an example of how people seek to have the scriptures stand alone without the context of the times or the context of the rest of scriptures. When we are not aware of the historical background of Herod, we are left with a few motivating factors for the decision. Herod is seen as a father who is influenced by his daughter against his will. When history shows that Herod sowed his own seeds and was reaping havoc for the marriages that he was involved in. John was seen by him as a possible leader of a rebellion. Yet, he was not comfortable with executing John since he was a holy man. Salome gave him an excuse and he ran with it.

Enough for today. Thanks for reading.

^[1] Flavius Josephus and William Whiston, The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged , Antiquities 18.116-119 (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1987), 484.

[2] Ibid. 18.113