The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 270

apostles worked. If their message was rejected, on leaving the place they were to "shake off the dust under their feet for a testimony against them "-an act symbolic of renunciation of influence and responsibility, and of the announcement of coming judgment. They were not to attempt to force men to listen and obey. Spiritual work is slow, but sure, \Ve are not to endeavour, by the establishment of a great organiza- tion, to embrace all in a nominal Christianity, nor are we to conquer men by physical force, as Mahomet did; but are to seek lovingly and prayerfully to turn one soul from darkness to light, that it may become the source of illumination to others. IV. THEY WEBE TO EXERCISE SELF-DENIAL AND CHEERFUL TBUBT IN Gon. This was the meaning of the instructions given in vers. 8, 9. They were to make no special provision for their joTU"ney, but were to go forth prepared to deny themselves; ready to live in the spirit of pilgrims ; burdened with the fewest possible earthly things; free from all care, because the Father cared for them. When the Church has their spirit, she will win their results.-A. R. Vers. 21-28.-Themurderera of John the Baptist. Tbe name of Herod Antipas is associated with that of our Lord on three occasions. The first is mentioned. in this chapter. On the second he sends a threatening message throngh the Pharisees (Luke xiii. 31) ; and on the third, with his men of war, he mocked the world's Redeemer (Luke xxili. 8-12). These together afford an example of the progressive nature of sin.. Herod passed from superstitious fear to anger, and from anger to mockery and scorn.. He" walked in the:counsel of the ungodly,'' and" stood in the way of sinners," and at last" sat in the seat of the scornful" (Ps. i.). It appears to have been the extension of our Lord's influence, doubtless through the work of his newly appointed apostles, whieh aroused the interest and fear of Herod. The miracles whioh were wrought vividly brought before his guilty conscience the terrible crime which he had recently committed, in the murder of John the Baptist, of which Mark gives us the most graphic and detailed narrative we have. The feast described could hardly have taken place in Tiberias, but probably in some other palace close by the castle of Machmrus, in which John was a prisoner. In the scene which is here portrayed we see three types of character, represented by the three chief actors in this tragedy, which are worthy of our study. L CoNSIDER HEROD AS AN EX.AMPLE OF MORAL WEAKNESS. He was the son of Herod the Great, by Malthace, a Samaritan woman, and inherited his father's vices without his vigour. Profligate and luxurious, he had no vestige of moral greatness. His language was that of a braggart, as we can see in his promise that he would give "the half of his kingdom;" as if he were a mighty Ahasuerus, whereas he was but the subordinate ruler of the small districts of Galilee and Perma. In the scene before us we notice in him the following faults :-1. He was disloyal to his convictions. Impressed by John's words, he did not forsake his sins. Like Pilate, he acknowledged the innocence and dignity of his victim, yet he had not the moral courage to set him free, To know the right, and yet to fail in following it, is the germ of grosser sins. 2. He was easily influenced 'by ci1'Cf,/,mstances. " A convenient day " came e.t last for Herodias's purpose, a time when the weak king would be inflamed by wine and lust. The tempter ever waits and watches for such occasions to effect the moral ruin of those who do not resolutely resist him. The opinion of the civil and military officials around him also prevented Herod's refusal of So.lome's request. Like all moral cowards, he had more fear of the scorn of men than of the wrath of God. 3. He was led gradually to the worst crime. There had been a time when he would have shrunk from the murder of John; but he had been gradually prepared for it. His sinful connection with Herodias blunted any sensibility to good, as sensuality always does. His unwillingness to put her away led him to silence the hold preacher who denounced his crime. And when licentiousness had led to persecution, it was not long before persecution led to murder. 4. He was moulded by the atronger will of his companion in guilt. 'l'he weakneBB ~of a vacillating man is easily overcome by one who is resolutely bad. Give examples from Scripture, o.nd illustrations from daily life, of the perils besetting those who hare no moral firmness and strength. II. CONSIDER SALOME As AN EX.AMPLE OF ABUSED GIFTS. Physical beauty is as much God's gift as wealth, or position, or mental talent. Too often it has been used for the sake of display, for the gratification of vanity, or for the excitement of evil passions. 268 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. [cH. v1. 1-56.