John the Baptist is Beheaded

Herod had married his brother Philip's wife Herodias and when John told him it was unlawful to marry her he had John arrested and thrown in prison and shackled and chained. Herodias held a grudge against John for this and greatly desired to kill him. Herod too wanted to kill him but he also considered John to be a just and holy man and the people considered him a prophet so he was afraid to kill him. He also liked to listen to John though he became quite upset when he did.

The opportunity for Herodias to get her revenge on John came when Herod mad a feast to celebrate his own birthday. He invited his princes and captains and the most important men in Galilee.

As part of the festivities, Herodias' daughter danced for Herod and his guests. The dance so delighted Herod that he swore to Herodias, daughter that he would reward her with anything she asked - up to half his kingdom.

She didn't know what to ask so she went out and asked her mother. Herodias told her to ask for John's head on a platter. So she went back in to the party and demanded John the Baptist's head. Herod was very unhappy about this but he had given his word in front of all the important men at his party so he felt he could not refuse.

He sent word to the prison and had the executioner behead John and carry his head to the party. He then have John's head to Herodias' daughter who presented it to her mother.

When John's disciples got the news they claimed the body and buried it and went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard about John's death He and His disciples went by boat over the sea of Galilee to be in a private place in the desert.

Life of Christ Part Twenty - Jesus Feeds Over Ten Thousand People and Walks on Water

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