The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 283

IV. THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT OCOASI01'"ED THE BAPTIST'S DEATIJ, The evangelist now turns aside to narrate the circumstances that led up to the death of John the Baptist. Herod Anti pas, ethnarch of Galilee and Perrea" called "tetrarch" tby St. Matthew, as inheriting only a fourth part of the dominions of his father, Herod the Great, and styled "king" by St. Mark, had seduced his brother Philip's wife, with whom he was now living in an adulterous connection. The Baptist boldly but faith- fully lifted up his voice against this sin, addressing earnest and repeated remonstrances to Herod; for, as we read, be kept saying (t>..,,, being imperfect), •• It is not lawful for thee to have her." The vindictive spirit of Herodias was roused in consequence·; she resolved to have her revenge, but was unable to prevail on her husband to gratify her fully in this particular. He arrested the Baptist and imprisoned him, putting him in chains. He still, however, retained some respect for him, as a good and holy man whom he had heard often, and by whom he had been influenced to do many things; though tl'uv,,.fip,. rather means that Herod kept him in safety, or preserved him from Herodias's machinations, than that he esteemed him highly. Besides, state policy stood in the ,way of further violence. Herod shrank from the unpopularity which he was certain to incur by such a course; perhaps even worse consequences might ensue. To deprive the people of their favourite might lead to insurrection. Josephus, however, attributes the murder of John by Herod to Herod's "fear lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion." This wicked woman bided her time, harbouring her secret grudge and ill-concealed resentment (lv•ix.,,, equivalent to "she held fast within or cherished inward wrath," or "set herself against," Revised Version); while f/B•>-•v implies "she had a settled desire"); but the favourable opportunity at last arrived. The king was celebrating his birthday festival by an entertainment to the magnates of his realm-high officers of the army, military tribunes, or chiliarchs, and other functionaries, civil or ecclesiastical, of distinguished rank. But besides this great assemblage of Galilean nobles and the splendour of the feast itself, a new feature was added to the entertainment. Salome, daughter of Hero- dias, in forgetfulness of the due decorum of her rank and the natural modesty of hor sex, volunteered to play a part little better than that of ballet-girl before the assembled grandees of Galilee, and thus to heighten the enjoyment of the king's guests. The king looked on in rapture, immensely pleased by the easy condescension, and charmed with the agility and graceful movements of the fair da11seuse. He was sensible of the sacrifice she had made in compliment to his majesty; for a Persian queen once lost her crown, and was willing to submit to the loss, rather than, at the sacrifice of her queenly or womanly modesty, to appear, even by the king's express command, in the presence of bis banqueters. Being, in con11equence, in a grateful, generous mood, he determined not to be outdone in magnanimity. There and then, of his own motion, he promised Salome whatever she asked, if it should amount to half his kingdom; he backed his promise by an oath, yea, by more than one, for we read of oaths (llptcous), as confirmatory of that promise. The girl was somewhat nonplussed by the largeness of the king's bounteous offer. She hesitated;· but a prompter was not far to seek. She repaired io her mother, no doubt expecting direction in the matter of gold, or jewels, or diamonds, or girlish ornaments of some sort. But no ; that wicked woman had set her heart oo. what no gold could purchase, and no gems procure. It was no less than the Baptist's head. V. REFLECTIONS oN ALL TIIIS. 1. Surely the maiden, bold as she was, must have been shocked at the proposal; surely she must have recoiled from such a cruelty; surely she must have required strong and powerful urgency to bring herself to present such a bloody petition. And this we think is implied in the word 1tpo/M31A1TB<i1Ta, employed by St. Matthew, and signifying "made to go forward," and so instigated. She soon, however, recovered her sprightliness. Once her scruples were overcome, she returned in haste, and with eagerness preferred the ghastly request for John the Baptist's head to be given her immediately-lest time might cool the royal ardour-and i11 a charger, one of the platters used in the feast, and thus 011e of those just at hand, to make sure of the execution on the spot. The terms are expressive of the utmost eagerness and haste: "Give me here-immediately in a charger," is the demand after *he had "come in straightway with haste." 2. The king at once repented, but too CH. VI. 1-56.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO Sr. MARK. 281