Heating Up

The Passage[1]

Matthew 14:1-5; Mark 6:17-20; Luke 3:19-20; Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14; Luke4:14, 15; John 4:1-4

But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him [John, the Baptizer] concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison. 

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; and although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.  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. [ESV: When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly; NIV: “liked to listen to him”]

Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee.  But He needed to go through Samaria.

A Little Background

After the wedding at Cana until now, Jesus had been in the area of Judea, in and around Jerusalem. 

As I mentioned in a previous post, there was actually a dynasty of Herods; four of them reigned during Jesus’ lifetime. When Herod the Great died (who killed all the infants when He heard that Jesus had been born, “King of the Jews”), he divided his kingdom among four of his sons.  Herod the Tetrarch (also known as Antipas) ruled in Galilee. 

Some Explanation

Through the ministry of John the Baptizer, the peoples’ hearts were becoming softened. John did not hold back the truth; he preached with boldness in the power of the Holy Spirit. But not everyone repented. Herod was intrigued by John, and admired him, but his wife Herodias hated John. 

The Pharisees were also stirred up, first by John’s preaching and now by Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple. No doubt they were relieved when Herod arrested John. But now Jesus was making waves in their well-ordered regime. The power and influence of the Pharisees was greatest in Jerusalem which was in Judea. Since it was just the beginning of His ministry, Jesus did not stay in Judea where there was opposition. He turned His attention to Galilee where He will minister for the next 18 months.

Observations and Insights

Herod’s response to John’s preaching is interesting. On the one hand he was incensed by John’s defiance against Herod’s adultery. On the other, he was fascinated by John’s boldness. Notice that he apparently listens to some of John’s message, but was perplexed.

At times, having an appearance of faith can be advantageous in our culture today. Celebrities may talk of “God” as if they are Christians. We cannot know their hearts and I am not judging their faith. But we not only must be cautious (take heed, beware, be careful) about following others, we must also examine our own hearts to see if we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Herod had a superficial interest in John’s message, but he had no saving faith.

False faith is very hard to detect as it can do many things we might attribute to saving faith. For instance false faith can experience deep conviction for sin as Judas did after betraying our Lord and Savior. It can tremble and be moved by the word of God as Felix did when Paul spoke to him. It can repent as Esau and can be seen in a high office in the church as Demas. A false faith can speak well of Christ, and can perform religious works like the Pharisees. A false faith could even preach the gospel and more, and yet Jesus might not know them at the end. Bill Wessel, http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/newsletter/never-thirst/day12/

True faith is found in hearts that respond in repentance and receive the Word gladly. Neither Herod, nor the Pharisees repented. I see two points here about sharing the Gospel.  First, the message of the Gospel will not always be received in faith.  While I always want to speak the truth in love, it is the message itself that is the issue. John preached by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus was Word in the flesh speaking to the people. It is the message that is rejected. 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 describes two different results of the Gospel. To some the message we bring will be a sweet smelling savor leading to life. To others it will be the aroma or stench of death. Secondly, I look at my own heart when I read the Word. Will I receive and obey it; or will I reject and twist it? Will it be sweet to me or bitter?

[1] Note:  Much of the Harmony readings will be pieced together like a puzzle putting the four Gospels together into one narrative.  I am copying the order or format from A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels, George W. Wright, Holman Bible Publishers, 2001.  However, I am using the New King James rather than the HCSB.  This order is from the research of Wright and is open to discussion.  Of course, you can also read the passages side by side separately if you prefer.