Herodias

For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married.  For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

~Mark 6:17-18

Why do you think Herod had John put in prison?  Because he wanted to please his wife or because he was angry and afraid of John himself?

• He wanted to please his wife

When someone confronts you with something that is wrong in your life, how do you respond?

• My response will be told how I feel about the situation

So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.

~Mark 6:19-20

Note the different responses to John recorded in these verses.  What do these responses tell you about Herod and Herodias?

• that they have different views as to what should happen to John

Which response is more like yours when confronted with sin?  Are you like Herodia - sulking and wanting to get even with those who reveal your sin or failings?  Or are you like Herod - willing to listen, curious about what the other person has to say?

• I would say that I am more like Herod

Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.  When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.”  And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

~Mark 6:21-23

What do you think Salome's dance must have been like to produce such an extravigant promise from her stepfather?

• it must have looked pretty seductive

Have you ever promised something to someone that you later wished you hadn't?  What did you do?

• Usually if I make a promise, I stick with it because I feel like i owe something to somebody

She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

  At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

~Mark 6:24-25

Have you ever plotted, like Herodias, to get your own way?  How does that make you feel about yourself?  Are you pleased when you get your own way, or is the result less that satisfying?

• I don't think I'm going to doubt that I have plotted to get my own way.  It's probably not right, but yes, usually when I get my own way, it is pretty satisfying

The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.  So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.  On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

~Mark 6:26-29

What other response could Herod have given?  Was he obligated in some way to fullfill his promise or could he have told her to come with another, more reasonable request?

• there probably wasn't much he could say because he felt obligated to follow his wife's wishes

When have you done something you later wished you hadn't simply because of the pressure of those around you to do it?  What would have been a better response?

• I'm not actually sure if I have been pressured to do something to the similar point that Herod was pressured.  Had I been pressured like he was, I would have done my best to stand my ground