Mt 14:1-12
1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus 2and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”
3Now Herod had arrested John, bound [him], and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, 4for John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. 6But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod 7so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. 8Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, 10and he had John beheaded in the prison. 11His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 12His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.
HEROD HAD ARRESTED JOHN: Herod the tetrarch is Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee during the public ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus. While on vacation in Rome, he fell in love with Herodias, the wife of his half-brother Herod Philip. He repudiated his wife, the daughter of the Nabatean king Aretas IV, in order to marry Herodias.
Matthew presents the tetrarch as a weak prisoner of his passions. He succumbs to superstitious beliefs (that John is haunting him), cannot accept criticism of his adulterous union, makes extravagant promises, and orders the execution of a prophet for fear of losing face.
The Jewish historian Josephus narrates that King Aretas, to avenge the honor of his daughter, attacked and defeated the army of Herod. It was only the threat of the Romans that prevented the king from destroying Herod altogether, he being their puppet king. The rumor then spread that Herod was being punished by God because of what he did to John.
John, on the other hand, proves to be a fearless prophet of God. As the prophet Elijah before him, he is a “disturber” to rulers like Herod who flaunt the law of the Lord. His martyr’s death affirms the interests of God and his kingdom.