Death of John the Baptist 

John the Baptist died on January 10, 28 CE at the hands of Herod Antipas. John had been in prison at the fortress of Machaerus for a year and a half by the time of his death. Herod did not know what to do with him. Herod was afraid to kill John because he had so many followers who loved him dearly, and he was afraid to release him for fear that he might start a rebellion.

Herod’s wife, Herodias, hated John the Baptist because he told the world that she was not Herod’s lawful wife. She had asked that John be executed but Herod always refused. In the end, she got revenge at Herod’s birthday party. She hatched a wicked plot involving Herod and her daughter that resulted in John the Baptist’s head being delivered to her on a platter.

When John's disciples heard about it, they retrieved his body and then went to tell Jesus what had happened.

John the Baptist was arrested early in the morning on June 12, 26 CE by agents of Herod Antipas before the daily crowds arrived for baptism. Herod had heard of John’s loud criticisms of corrupt rulers, both political and religious, and he feared a rebellion among the people.

Herod did not know just what to do about John. He arrested him out of fear that John might start a rebellion and subsequently did not want to release him. But he was afraid to simply kill him because John was so beloved; many believed that he was a holy prophet and Herod feared that his followers might riot. Herod had many talks with John and he was even impressed by what John said about the kingdom of heaven, but John would never agree to stop his ministry. So John spent one and half years in the prison at Machaerus, almost losing his faith in Jesus. In the end, his courage was bolstered by a warm communication from the Master and he met death just a few days later.

Herod had a residence at Machaerus where he lived with his wife, Herodias, and her young daughter. Herodias hated John the Baptist because he publicly embarrassed her by telling everyone that she was not lawfully married to Herod. She was determined to put him to death. She had asked Herod repeatedly to execute him, but Herod refused. But she was soon to have her revenge on John when the opportunity presented itself to her.

Herod threw a large banquet on his birthday at the palace of Machaerus and invited many important men from the government to attend. It was a gala affair where the wine flowed freely. During the festive evening, Herodias presented her daughter to the men assembled and had her dance before them. Herod, decidedly under the influence of alcohol and enjoying himself, told the young girl that he was very pleased with her. He told her that he liked her so much that she could ask him for anything she wanted and he would give it to her – even if she wanted half of his kingdom. The daughter stepped aside to ask her mother what she should ask. Herodias replied. “Go to Herod and ask for the head of John the Baptist.” So, the girl returned to the banquet table and told Herod that she wanted John the Baptist’s head on a platter.

Because of his conflicted thinking about John, Herod was frightened by this request. But he had promised and was surrounded by many important men, so he felt compelled to give her what she requested. Herod sent a soldier to the prison with orders to bring John’s head to the banquet hall. And when the soldier had beheaded John, he brought his head back on a platter and gave it to Herodias’ daughter. The daughter then gave the platter to her mother.

John’s disciples heard about what happened and they went to the prison to claim John’s body. After they laid his body in a tomb, they went to tell Jesus the sad news.