Scripture Daily

Context No. 3067 of 4322 · Mark

Context · Reflection

Mark 6:12-20: in context

12They went out and preached that people should repent. 13They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick and healed them. 14King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, “John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” 15But others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets.” 16But Herod, when he heard this, said, “This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.” 17For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her. 18For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19Herodias set herself against him and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t, 20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.

The disciples go out preaching repentance, casting out demons, healing the sick. When King Herod hears of it, his guilty conscience leaps: John the Baptist, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead. For Herod had imprisoned John for rebuking his unlawful marriage to Herodias, and though Herodias wanted John dead, Herod feared him, knew him to be a righteous and holy man, kept him safe, and heard him gladly.

The tragic figure here is Herod. He knew John was a righteous and holy man, feared him, even protected him, and heard him gladly. He was genuinely drawn to the truth John spoke. And yet he would not obey it; he kept his unlawful marriage, and his weakness would finally let Herodias have John killed. Herod is a portrait of a divided conscience, attracted to the truth, even enjoying it, but unwilling to let it cost him what he loved. Hearing gladly is not the same as obeying. A man can enjoy the preacher and still refuse the message.

Do I, like Herod, enjoy hearing the truth without letting it change the things I am unwilling to give up?

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