1 At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus, 2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.” 3 For Herod had laid hold of John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 For John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. 6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod. 7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask. 8 She, being prompted by her mother, said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer.”

9 The king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths, and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be given, 10 and he sent and beheaded John in the prison. 11 His head was brought on a platter, and given to the young lady: and she brought it to her mother. 12 His disciples came, and took the body, and buried it; and they went and told Jesus.

Matthew 14:1-12 - World English Bible

Matthew's gospel told the shameful tale of Herod Antipas, his wife Herodias and her daughter Salome in the execution of John the Baptist. Please note Herodias drove the plot against the Baptist; she was what modern people would call a “social climber.” According to Josephus, she bore Hasmonean bloodlines through her father and Idumean heritage through her mother. In other words, she was a product of the royal inbreeding of the various Semitic leading families that surrounded Herod the Great (37-4 BC). While she lived in a male-dominated, gender segregated society, her wealth and status under Roman law gave her advantages not available to other women at her time. She divorced her first husband, Herod II (27 BC to 33 AD) to marry his brother Herod Antipas (who had divorced his first wife in favor of Herodias). The Baptist opposed the remarriage based upon Jewish sensibilities, seeing the bond as incestuous. According to gospel tradition, she urged her daughter to entice her stepfather's lust by dancing before him and his guests at a royal banquet held for his birthday. He gave into his desire by offering Salome anything she wanted, thus debasing himself before the court. The girl asked for the head of the Baptist, which he ordered so he would not violate his shameful oaths. Notice the scene Matthew painted was so craven, it even now violates modern sensibilities. As one modern scholar stated, “If a stepmother encouraged her daughter to dance lewdly at a party with the intent of seducing her husband and he gave into his lust, everyone there would be facing some serious jail time.”

The story of John's death in Matthew and Luke contrasted the honor of the Baptist to the shame of his executioners. This story foreshadowed the honor of Jesus' death compared to the shame of his opponents in the Passion.

Take a moment to pray for the intercession of the Baptist. Pray to emulate his courage in the face of utter shame.