Who Killed John the Baptist?

Please don’t offer the easy answer! It is important to look intently into this incident and consider the role played by each person involved and then draw a life conclusion.

“Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”
Others said, “It is Elijah.”
And others said, “It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.”
But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!” For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?”
And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!”
Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.” Mark 6:14-29 (NKJV)

Who Killed John the Baptist?
-Herodias wanted to kill John the Baptist.
-Herodias told the daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist.
-Herod’s Daughter requested for the head of John the Baptist.
-Herod wanted to please his guests, his wife and his daughter.
-Herod gave the command to kill John.
-Executioner killed John the Baptist.

From the above scripture, Herod claimed responsibility for the death of John. The guilt of that wrongdoing followed him from the time it happened till death and definitely it will come up against him on the judgement day.

What part do you play in the events of your life and in issues concerning other people? We will all give account of all our actions before God. Many people, including some preachers, live as if life ends here on earth. I want to remind us of some scriptures lest we forget.
“And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:10-11 (NKJV)
“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” 1 Cor.15:19 (NKJV)

Pleasing people rather than God is in vogue; it is seen as the “ticket to the heights” but beware, “it could become one too many.”

John the Baptist lost his life to men pleasers. None of the people involved can be exonerated. Herod abused his authority and the daughter abused her privilege. The bitterness of Herodias was murderous. She crowned her adulterous life with murder. (She could not tolerate John the Baptist for saying the truth.) Our jobs will not be accepted as an excuse for meddling with bad things. You have a choice!

Whatever your conclusions are on this, it is okay; however, it is one of those things to account for some day.

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Bible quote: http://www.biblegateway.com