Câu chuyện về cái chết của thánh Gioan Tẩy giả là câu chuyện có tính chất chú ý nhiều đến bản tính con người. Chúng ta có thể bị thu hút bởi những câu chuyện có tính chat đầy kịch tính trong điệu nhảy của con gái bà Hêrôdiat và lời thề ngu ngốc của vua Hêrôđê và sự yêu cầu của cô gái xin cho bằng được cái đầu của ông Gioan Tẩy Giả đặt trên mâm. Đằng sau của câu chuyện là khi vua Hêrôđê đã có vợ mà còn muốn kết hôn với bà Hêrôdiat người vợ của anh trai mình. Khi làm như vậy, theo quan điểm của luật Do Thái, ông ta đã phạm hai tội trọng. Việc đầu tiên là ông ly dị người vợ trước của ông mà không có lý do chính đáng. Thứ hai là ông kết hôn với chị dâu của mình, đó là một mối quan hệ bị cấm tuyệt đối.
Ông Gioan không sợ hãi đê đứng ra chỉ trích và phê phán nhà vua vì những hành vi của nhà Vua và vì vậy ông đã bị tống giam trong tù. Những lý do cho việc làm của vua Hêrôđê thì quá phức tạp. Có thể nhà vua không thích Gioan, Nhưng trong trái tim của nha vua, ông biết rằng những gì Gioan nói là đúng. Chúng ta không ai thích được nghe nói là chúng ta đang làm điều gì đó mà sai trái; đặc biệt là nếu chúng ta đang cố gắng để đánh lừa chính bản thân là những gì chúng ta đang làm là đều tốt đẹp cả. Vua Hêrôđê biết rằng ông Gioan là một người thánh thiện và không muốn thực hiện nó, nhưng nó đã không được chuẩn bị để thừa nhận tội lỗi của mình.
Ông Gioan đã trả một cái giá quá mắc cho việc nói sự thật mà không sợ hãi. Đây là việc mà chúng ta được kêu gọi để làm, mặc dù có lẽ trong đó có đầy những tính chất quá kịch tính. Chúng ta phải lên tiếng chống lại những bất công, bóc lột và những việc sai trái ở bất cứ nơi nào mà chúng ta nhìn thấy nó. Trong cách này, chúng ta đang bắt chước không phải chỉ có thánh Gioan Tẩy Giả mà thôi, nhưng chúng ta cũng bắt chước như chính Chúa Giêsu, Người đã bị bắt, chịu khổ hình và bị giết chỉ vì đã nói lên sự thật; và chúng ta cũng có thể chắc chắn rằng Chúa Giêsu sẽ ở lại với chúng ta khi chúng ta cố gắng để làm đại sứ của Ngài trong một thế giới mà thường là thù địch với giá trị Kitô giáo.
The story of the death of John the Baptist is full of human interest. We can be fascinated by the dramatic story of the dance of Herodias' daughter and Herod's foolish oath and the request of the girl to have John the Baptist's head on a platter. The background to the story is that Herod had married his brother's wife. In doing so, from the viewpoint of the Jewish law, he committed two crimes. The first was that he divorced his first wife without good reason. The second was that he married his sister-in-law, which was a prohibited relationship.
John fearlessly criticized the king for his behavior and so was thrown into prison. The reasons for Herod's conduct are complex. Maybe, he disliked John because, at heart, he knew that what John said was right. We do not like to be told that something we are doing is wrong; especially if we are trying to deceive ourselves that what we are doing is all right. Herod knew that John was a holy man and did not want to execute him, but he was not prepared to admit his guilt.
John paid the price for speaking the truth without fear. This is something that we are all called to do, though probably in less dramatic ways. We should speak up against injustice and wrongdoing wherever we see it. In this we are imitating not only John the Baptist but also Jesus himself, who was put to death for speaking the truth; and we can be sure that Jesus will be with us as we try to be his ambassadors in a world that is often hostile to Christian values.
Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. Matthew 14:3–5
Saint John the Baptist was unwaveringly bold in his preaching, humble in his disposition toward God, and faithful to the truth he proclaimed. These holy virtues, however, did not spare him from the clutches of Herod—a man morally weak, politically fearful, and unrepentant. In the end, Herod not only imprisoned John but, through the manipulation of his unlawful wife and her daughter, had him killed.
Who, then, was victorious? From a worldly perspective, it seemed Herod was. John was not only persecuted but martyred. Yet the true victory belonged to John. His triumph was not in escaping suffering but in remaining faithful—faithful to the truth, to charity toward Herod, and to the salvation of Herod’s soul. This sacrificial charity moved John to speak boldly, even at the cost of his life.
At John’s death, Jesus grieved deeply. The loss was real and sorrowful, but not despairing. John’s followers also mourned out of love. He had changed many lives and prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry. Of him, Jesus said, “No one born of woman is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11).
The greatest human sorrow ever known was the mutual suffering of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, whose love was perfect. Their hearts were pierced not only by personal grief, but by the weight of humanity’s sin.
John’s death was not tragic; it was meaningful. He died for the truth, for charity, for the Messiah. He died as a man deeply loved, whose life touched many. He died not in bitterness or confusion, but in courage, compassion, and purpose. His ministry was powerful, but the witness of his grace-filled martyrdom was even more so.
Each of us is called to imitate Saint John the Baptist in our own way—with boldness, humility, and fidelity. We are called to love with a charity that becomes sacrificial, even costly. John’s life is a model of that sanctity. Can we see ourselves in him?
When you examine your life, do you live boldly and confidently in the truth? Or do you give in to fear, which often leads to confusion and apathy? Is your charity strong enough to endure suffering, even unjust persecution, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls—including your own?
Reflect today on the strength of your charity. We are all called to a love so deep that it requires supernatural courage and understanding. Consider your life through the powerful lens of Saint John the Baptist’s witness. Sacrifice is painful. It was for John, for his followers, and even for Jesus. Are you willing to endure such suffering in fidelity to God’s will? Seek the Baptist’s intercession today and follow his example, that your charity may touch many lives and leave a lasting impression.
Most loving Lord Jesus, Your human heart grieved the suffering and death of John the Baptist, whose mission was to prepare the way for Your public ministry. Yet Your sorrow did not flow from despair, but from love and gratitude for John’s life and his selfless witness, born of true charity. Grant me, I pray, that same courage and love that flowed from John’s heart, so that my life, like his, may leave a lasting impression on others, give You glory, and sanctify my own soul. Jesus, I trust in You.
Opening Prayer: Lord God, I hear the stories of how the innocent are persecuted by the wicked. Your servant, John the Baptist, suffered because he called Herod to repent from sin. Your Son, Jesus, suffered to save us from sin and death. Strengthen me in times of suffering so that I may attain your glory.
Encountering the Word of God
. The Merciful Kingdom: Book Four of the Gospel of Matthew (Chapters 14-18) focuses especially on the merciful dimension of the Kingdom. The first two chapters (14-15) ramp up the tension between Jesus and his opponents, something already highlighted in Matthew 11-12. The increasing opposition is seen in the execution of Jesus’ forerunner, John the Baptist. By placing the story here, Matthew is emphasizing how the members of the Church will be persecuted and even put to death. Our response should not be one of violence, but one of mercy. This theme was anticipated in the Sermon on the Mount: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on [your] right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:38-44).
Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and 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.” Matthew 14:1–2
Herod the tetrarch was one of three brothers and a sister who became 1st-century rulers to succeed their father, Herod the Great, when he died in 4 B.C. Herod governed much of the territory west of the Sea of Galilee, which was the territory in which Jesus spent most of His time during His public ministry. He also ruled a territory just east of the Dead Sea, which is where he had imprisoned and ultimately killed John the Baptist. Herod was known for being a very busy builder and is prominently known for his role in the deaths of Saint John the Baptist and Jesus.
Recall that Herod had taken his brother’s wife, Herodias, as his own, and John the Baptist publicly opposed this. For that reason, Herod had John arrested and ultimately beheaded at the request of Herodias, who took the Baptist’s criticism very personally. Herod, on the other hand, had a strange sort of admiration for the Baptist.
The Gospel passage quoted above reveals a somewhat unusual statement by Herod. After he had killed Saint John the Baptist, he heard about the reputation of Jesus Who was traveling throughout Herod’s territory preaching and performing many mighty deeds. Word spread fast about Jesus and quickly reached even the ears of Herod. So why did Herod strangely think that Jesus must have been John the Baptist raised from the dead? Though we do not know for certain, we certainly can speculate.
In the version of this story found in the Gospel of Mark, we read, “Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak, he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him” (Mark 6:20). Herod may have been a man who had a spark of faith but was ultimately ruled by his passions and desire for power. Perhaps that is why he initially kept John the Baptist alive in his prison. It also appears that Herod had some form of either regret or fear over his beheading of John. And it is most likely for this reason that Herod immediately thought of John when he initially heard of Jesus and the “mighty powers” that were at work within Him.
Reflect, today, upon this unholy witness of Herod. God can use all things for His glory, and He can even use the example of Herod to reveal to ourselves any similar tendency. Do you struggle with regret, fear and guilt? Does this cause conflict within you? The good news is that this conflict is easily resolved by a humble heart that seeks the truth. Seek the truth by admitting any long-lasting sin you need to resolve and permit the mercy of God to enter in so as to set you free.
My merciful Jesus, You desire that all people experience freedom from the sins of the past. You desire to penetrate our hearts and to bring resolution and peace. Please help me to open my mind and heart to You in the areas that still cause pain and regret, and help me to be set free by Your infinite mercy. Jesus, I trust in You.
Opening Prayer: Lord God, I hear the stories of how the innocent are persecuted by the wicked. Your servant, John the Baptist, suffered because he called Herod to repent from sin. Your Son, Jesus, suffered to save us from sin and death. Strengthen me in times of suffering so that I may attain your glory.
1. Book Four in the Gospel of Matthew: Book Four of the Gospel of Matthew (chapters 14-18) focuses especially on the merciful dimension of the Kingdom. The first two chapters (14-15) ramp up the tension between Jesus and his opponents that was highlighted in Matthew 11-12. The increasing opposition is seen in the execution of Jesus’ forerunner, John the Baptist. As well, “the Pharisees castigate Jesus over ritual handwashing and Jesus in turn upbraids them, the disciples worship Jesus, and a pagan woman wins exorcism for her daughter. There is an ever-increasing chasm between those who follow and those who oppose Jesus – the disciples and pagans, on the one hand, and the would-be teachers of Israel, on the other – which will culminate in Jesus’s founding of the Church as a new Israel, a remnant from within Israel, in chapter 16” (Huizenga, Behold the Christ, 265). Unlike the kingdoms of the world, Jesus’ “kingdom of heaven” is based on mercy. “The foundational mercy for the whole kingdom is the mercy of the king, who forgives every one of us the enormous debt of our sin. Having experienced God’s forgiveness, we practice forgiveness toward others” (Bergsma, New Testament Basics for Catholics, 56).
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