1. The Death of John the Baptist
Matthew 14:1-12 (ESV)
Mark 6: Luke 9:7-9

2. 1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, 2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.”

3. 3 For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, 4 because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

4. 5 And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. 6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, 7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

5. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given.

6. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

7. 1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, 2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” (Mt 14:1-2)
15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” (Mark 6:15-16)
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. 9 Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him. (Luke 9:7-9)

8. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. (Mal 4:5)
13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. (Mt 11:13-14)
12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased… (Mt 17:12)

9. POINT #1: We must understand and be clear who Jesus is
Messiah, Savior
Fully man
Fully God

10. 17 For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. (Mark 6:17-20)
****a lot of details in the Mark account

11.  But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison. (Luke 3:18-20)

12. Herod the Great Aristobulus Philip I Herod Antipas Philip the Tetrarch
(murdered by father)
Philip I
Herod Antipas
Philip the Tetrarch
Herod Archelaus
Herodias

13. Herod the Great Aristobulus Philip I Herod Antipas Philip the Tetrarch
(murdered by father)
Philip I
Herod Antipas
Philip the Tetrarch
Herod Archelaus
Herodias

14. 16 Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother. (Lev 18:16)
21 If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity; he has dishonored his brother… (Lev 20:21)

15. POINT 2: Stand firm for the truth, speak the truth, confront sin
Be prepared for opposition and persecution and suffering

16. 6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, 7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” (Matthew 14:6-8)

17. Herod the Great Aristobulus Philip I Herod Antipas Philip the Tetrarch
(murdered by father)
Philip I
Herod Antipas
Philip the Tetrarch
Herod Archelaus
Herodias
SALOME

18. 9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus. (Matthew 14:9-12)

19. POINT 3: Be a God-pleaser, NOT a people-pleaser
Fear and please God, not man
God is your audience!

20. 29 And he who sent me is with me
29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him. (John 8:29)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. (Col 3:23)

21. Pleasing God in: Our words Our choices & decisions Our teaching
Our studies
Our business dealings
Our marriages
How we raise our children

22. CONCLUSION Be clear who Jesus is
Stand firm for the truth, speak the truth, confront sin
Be a God-pleaser, not a people-pleaser
…we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. (1 Thes 2:4)