Matthew 14:1-12

Matthew 14:1-12

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.”

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.

But at a birthday celebration for Herod,

the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests

and delighted Herod so much

that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for.

Prompted by her mother, she said,

“Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

The king was distressed,

but because of his oaths and the guests who were present,

he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison.

His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl,

who took it to her mother.

His disciples came and took away the corpse

and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

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

1. 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).

2. Forming a New Israel: In the four chapters leading up to the fourth major discourse about humility, sin, seeking the lost sheep, and forgiving our brothers and sisters who sin (Matthew 18), Matthew highlights the contrast between the Pharisees, who castigate Jesus over ritual handwashing, and the disciples, who worship Jesus (Matthew 14:33; 17:6). While the Pharisees are rejecting Jesus for not following one of their traditions (Matthew 15:1-20), a pagan Canaanite, a Gentile woman, wins an exorcism for her daughter (Matthew 15:21-28). Matthew highlights how “[t]here 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).

3. The Persecution of the New Elijah: The story in today’s Gospel about the imprisonment, passion, and death of John the Baptist anticipates the fate of Jesus (Matthew 17:12) and the early Christian martyrs (Revelation 20:4). Jesus will later explain how the life and death of John the Baptist is the fulfillment of a prophecy from Malachi about the return of Elijah (Matthew 17:9-13). Just as Elijah was persecuted by an evil and weak-willed ruler, King Ahab, and his wife, Jezebel, so also John the Baptist, the new Elijah, was persecuted by an evil and weak-willed ruler, the tetrarch Herod Antipas, and his mistress, Herodias. Elijah sought to turn the people of Israel from the worship of false idols to the worship of the Lord God. John picked up the mantle of Elijah and sought to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. He preached repentance from sin and the pursuit of justice. And for this he was executed. The disciples of Jesus can expect the same. They will preach the truth in charity, and like John the Baptist, they will be persecuted for this: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-11).

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, your cousin John did not fear speaking the truth, even when it cost him his freedom and his life. Grant me the same courage to bear faithful witness to your Gospel with humility, charity, and steadfast hope. Keep me from responding to evil with anger or revenge, but teach me to overcome hatred with mercy and forgiveness. When I am misunderstood, rejected, or ridiculed because I belong to you, strengthen me to remain faithful, trusting that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who suffer for righteousness' sake.

Living the Word of God: Where am I tempted to remain silent about the truth because I fear criticism, rejection, or inconvenience? How can I bear faithful witness to Christ with both courage and charity this week? Is there someone who has treated me unfairly or opposed me? How can I imitate Jesus by responding with mercy, praying for that person, or seeking reconciliation rather than retaliation? John the Baptist devoted his life to preparing others to meet the Messiah. Who is one person God may be calling me to encourage, invite, or accompany more intentionally toward Christ this week?