John the Baptist - the Rest of the Story

PRISON

John was put into prison because he said too much about Herod. We know that he spoke boldly about the marriage Herod got into and about how it contradicted the Law. We are also told that John said other things about Herod which were not written down for us. Whatever John did say was noticed by Herod who took him prisoner for his wife's sake but did not want to kill him because he feared the people who believed John was a prophet (14:5).

THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE

In Matthew we learn that there was power in the mob. Rulers feared the people getting out of control and for the sake of keeping peace gave in from time to time to their whims and their demands. Rulers feared because if the people got out of control, the rulers may be called to Rome and lose their positions.

Not only did the secular rulers fear mobs, the religious leaders likewise waited to take Jesus or John the Baptist because they feared the people.

But the mobs did not hold all the power. It was very risky to become involved in a mob. A ruler may send his soldiers into a mob to stab and kill people, or a ruler could make an example to the people by crucifying hundreds if not thousands. Therefore starting a riot was not something done lightly. If a man became a part of a riot, oftentimes he was willingly sacrificing his life for something he believed very strongly.

JOHN THE BAPTIST LAST DAYS (LK 7:20)

Unexpectedly John gave into doubts about Jesus. We are told that he sent some of his men to ask Jesus if he was the one to come or was there somebody else coming along. Why would he doubt?

Jesus did not come into this world in any way that was expected. Many knew the prophecies, but prophecy can easily be misunderstood and interpreted to benefit one's own fantasies and hopes. Theological constructs were built supporting not God's plan, but rather supporting the hopes and dreams of a nation (MK 8:33)

JOHN'S DEATH

Herod's wife got her revenge. She set up her husband so that he had to behead John or else back out on his word in front of a small crowd of party goers.

HEROD'S GUILT

John's death plagued Herod to some degree. When he began hearing about Jesus, he was convinced that John the Baptist had risen from the dead and working miracles (MT 14:2).