Vengeance

When we are hurt and angry, we sometimes wish the worst on those who hurt us.

At that time Herod the ruler heard reports about Jesus; and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Though Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod so much that he promised on oath to grant her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given; he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. The head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who brought it to her mother. His disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went and told Jesus. - Matthew 14:1-12

It is interesting that Herodias was hurt by what John said, but Herod was not.

Herod took it all in stride.  He had married his brother's wife and thought nothing of it, even though John called him out on it.

The wife was the one who didn't like it.  Was she angry because she was protecting Herod or was she looking to justify her own actions?

Herod liked John.  He found him amusing.

A king doesn't have friends, just enemies of varying degrees, and John was different.  John was not afraid to tell the king what he thought and how the king should act.

But Herod knew John could do nothing to him, so he tolerated him, and may even have liked him.

Then along comes the daughter of his wife and she dances erotically while the king is inebriated.  I am sure he never expected her to ask for John's head, but she does, and it pains him.

Did Herodias know that Herod liked John and killing him would be a blow to the king?

Perhaps she was looking to hurt two people, John and Herod.

So, she got her vengeance and Herod was saddened.

He had lost the closest thing he had to a friend, all because he let his hormones rule.

More to come...