Herod Kills John the Baptist – Matthew 14:1-12
What would you give your niece or nephew for a birthday gift? For Herod, this “gift” turned into something tragic. In this Matthew Bible lesson, we see how Herod kills John the Baptist because of pride and peer pressure. This reminds us of how quickly fear of others can lead to poor decisions.
Afraid of the people, Herod hesitated to harm John—but gave in when pressured in front of a crowd.
“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus and said to his servants, ‘This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’”
– Matthew 14:1-2 NASB
A Birthday Gift with Deadly Consequences
John spoke out against Herod’s unlawful relationship with Herodias, his brother’s wife. So, Herod arrested him. Even though Herod respected John as a prophet, he didn’t want to lose face in front of his guests.
“When Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.’”
– Matthew 14:6-8 NASB
Herod was distressed but gave in to his oath and the pressure of those watching. So, he ordered John to be executed in prison. John’s disciples later buried him and told Jesus what had happened.
Who Was Herod?
To understand the story, it helps to know who Herod was. He was the son of Herod the Great, the ruler who once ordered the killing of young boys after learning of Jesus’ birth. Violence was part of his family’s history.
Herod’s personal sin—living with his brother’s wife—was the reason John spoke out. That bold rebuke set the stage for this tragic ending.
Why Did Herod Kill John the Baptist?
In short, it was about pride and embarrassment. Herod made a public promise to the daughter of Herodias. Breaking his word in front of others would have made him appear weak. Instead of doing what he knew was right, he gave in to peer pressure. Sadly, a great prophet died because Herod valued reputation over righteousness.
“Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests.”
– Matthew 14:9 NASB
Do We Give in to the Crowd?
It’s easy to judge Herod, but if we’re honest, we all face moments where we feel pressure to go along with the crowd. Whether at work, school, or even in family situations, we are tempted to compromise just to “keep the peace” or avoid embarrassment.
This story challenges us to ask:
Do I make choices to honor God, or to please people?
Jesus shows us the better way. Unlike Herod, Christ willingly chose what was right—even though it meant facing death. To get a glimpse of how people reacted to Jesus in His own hometown, take a look at Nazareth rejects Jesus.
What Did Jesus Do When John the Baptist Died?
After John’s death, Jesus withdrew to a quiet place (Matthew 14:13). This shows us the deep bond between them, but also the importance of taking time to pray and seek the Father when we face grief.
It also reminds us that while death may silence a prophet, God’s mission continues. Jesus pressed forward with His ministry of teaching, healing, and saving. To see another encouraging message about trusting Him through life’s struggles, read The Lord is My Shepherd by Dr. Byrns Coleman.
Final Thoughts
The story of John the Baptist in the Bible is more than history—it’s a warning and an encouragement. Herod teaches us how pride and fear of people can lead to terrible decisions. John reminds us to stand firm for truth–no matter the cost. And Jesus shows us that God’s plan continues, even when His servants suffer.
Love in Christ,
Bob
If you would like to know more about how to receive the life-changing love of Christ, please read John 3:16.
If you want to keep growing in faith and understanding, explore more lessons at Making Christ Known.
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