Death of John
57
troubled. Engaged in the affairs of the nation, receiving honors from
men, he bore a smiling face and dignified mien, while he concealed
an anxious, aching heart, and was constantly terrified with fearful
forebodings that the curse of God was upon him.
When Herod heard of the wonderful works of Christ in healing
the sick, casting out devils, and raising the dead, he was exceedingly
troubled and perplexed. His convictions were that God, whom John
preached, was indeed present in every place, and that he had witnessed
the wild mirth and wicked dissipation in the royal banqueting room,
and that his ear had heard his command to the executioner to behead
John, that his eye had seen the exultation of Herodias, and the taunting
and insult with which she had reproached the severed head of her
enemy. And many things which he had heard from the lips of the
prophet now spoke to his conscience in louder tones than the preaching
in the wilderness. He had heard from John that nothing could be hidden
from God, therefore he trembled lest some terrible punishment should
be visited upon him for the sin he had committed.
When Herod heard of the words of Christ, he thought that God
had resurrected John, and sent him forth with still greater power to
condemn sin. He was in constant fear that John would avenge his
death by passing condemnation upon him and his house. “And king
[83]
Herod heard of him [Christ] (for his name was spread abroad); and
he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore
mighty works do show forth themselves in him. Others said, That it is
Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.
But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded;
he is risen from the dead.”
The Lord followed Herod as is described in Deuteronomy: “The
Lord shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and
sorrow of mind. And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou
shalt fear, day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life.
In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even
thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart
wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou
shalt see.”
In these words is presented a vivid picture of the criminal’s life.
His own thoughts are his accusers, and there can be no torture keener