At least in the eyes of the world, Herod Antipas had it all. Because the Roman Emperors approved of him, he was able to follow his father’s example: just as Herod the Great had rebuilt the Temple of God in Jerusalem, Herod Antipas had built the great city of Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee, in honor of his imperial patron. Oh yes, he could be proud of his accomplishments.

And like so many other proud and powerful men, he freely indulged his sexual appetites. He divorced his first wife Phasaelis so that he could marry Herodias, the wife of his half-brother. Oh, and Herodias also happened to be the daughter of another of Herod Antipas’ half-brothers. But Herod continued to have a roving eye, being so impressed with Herodias’ daughter that he promised to give her anything she wanted.

But was Herod really as strong as he appeared? For when his step-daughter asked him for the head of John the Baptist as a reward, Herod had a tough choice to make. Yes, John had been bold enough to speak truth to power, condemning Herod for his incestuous marriage. Yes, Herod’s pride and lust had pushed him to throw John in prison.

But deep down, Herod must have known that John was right. Why else would he have kept John alive in prison, in spite of Herodias’ hatred? Why else would he have admitted that John was righteous and holy (verses 19 and 20)? Why else would he have kept listening to what John said?

And how many of us find ourselves in Herod’s place, knowing what God’s Word says, but continuing to live our lives in clear contradiction to it? How many of us have preferred our own pride and lust to the humility and self-sacrifice that Jesus demands of His followers?

But when his step-daughter demanded the head of John the Baptist, Herod finally had to choose. For if he went back on his word, he would have been humiliated in the eyes of his powerful friends, and he would have lost whatever opportunity he might have had for yet another perverted sexual adventure. But even though he knew better, he chose pride and lust over obedience to God – and that cost John his life. It’s no wonder that Herod was so wracked with guilt that he thought Jesus was actually John who had risen from the dead.

So, if we want to claim obedience to God’s Word while continuing to indulge in our pet sins, if we continue to reject Christ’s call to faith, humility, and self-denial, why should we expect any better results than Herod got? No, Paul was right to warn us that suppressing the truth in unrighteousness always leads to greater sin, and eventually to death (see Romans 1:18-32).

Mark 6:14-29 (NASB)

14 And King Herod heard about it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him.” 15 But others were saying, “He is Elijah.” And others were saying, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard about it, he kept saying, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen!”

17 For Herod himself had sent men and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death, and could not do so; 20 for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he had been protecting him. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; and yet he used to enjoy listening to him. 21 An opportune day came when Herod, on his birthday, held a banquet for his nobles and military commanders, and the leading people of Galilee; 22 and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23 And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 Immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And although the king was very sorry, because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he was unwilling to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard about this, they came and carried away his body, and laid it in a tomb.