Bible Study - Mk. 6:14-16 Herod's Opinion

Mark 6:14-29 : 

Mark 6:14-29

6:14-16 Herod’s Opinion of Jesus : 

6:14-16 Herod’s Opinion of Jesus Mark calls him "King Herod," Herod ruled Galilee and Perea as a tetrarch which is below the status of client-king, from 4 BC until 39AD. He was eventually deposed and banished to Lyons in Gaul (modern France) by the emperor Caligula. Why? For the same reason that Adam and Eve were banished. Pride Herod was trying to be something he wasn’t a client-king. Cf. Mt. 11:12-14; 17:10-13 Elijah & John

Herod was Haunted by His Past : 

Herod was Haunted by His Past Haunted a good word which sums up Herod’s mental state at this time. When Herod heard of Jesus, the first thing that flashed into his mind was that He was the resurrected John the Baptist whom Herod had killed. Some thought that this Jesus was Elijah. Jews continue to waited for the Messiah. Jews assumed the Messiah would be a conquering king who would first give the Jews back their land and liberty and then lead them on a triumphant campaign throughout the world. It was an important part of that belief that, before the coming of the Messiah, Elijah, the greatest of the prophets, would come again to be His herald and forerunner.

Herod Antipas : 

Herod Antipas

What’s In A Name? : 

What’s In A Name? The name Herod was not a personal name, but a family or surname. It belonged to all the generations of the Herodian house. The Herodians were the descendants of Esau, and his twin brother Jacob whose father was Isaac and grandfather was Abraham. The descendants of Esau were called the Edomites. The Edomites considered themselves Jews. As a ruler, Herod Antipas was regarded as sly and ambitious but not as capable as his father. Jesus referred to him as "that fox."

Luke 13:32 That Fox : 

Luke 13:32 That Fox Luke 13:32 Jesus’ said, Go tell that fox, this indicates that He saw the Pharisees as Herod’s messengers who would report back to him. Herod’s ruthless ambition was public knowledge, as was his illegal marriage to his brother’s wife, Herodias.

Antipas : 

Antipas Most people dislike having their sins pointed out, especially in public. The shame of being exposed is often stronger than the guilt brought on by the wrongdoing. Herod Antipas was a man experiencing both guilt and shame. One man made Herod’s sin a public issue.

John the Baptist : 

John the Baptist That man was John the Baptist. John had been preaching in the wilderness, and thousands flocked to hear him. Apparently it was no secret that John had rebuked Herod for his adulterous marriage. Herodias was particularly anxious to have John silenced. As a solution, Herod imprisoned John.

Herod Commits a Greater Sin : 

Herod Commits a Greater Sin Herod liked John. John was probably one of the few people he met who spoke only the truth to him. But the truth about his sin was a bitter pill to swallow, and Herod wavered at the point of conflict: He couldn’t afford to have John constantly reminding the people of their leader’s sinfulness, but he was afraid to have John killed. He put off the choice. Eventually Herodias forced his hand, and John was executed. Of course, this only served to increase Herod’s guilt.

Jesus and Herod : 

Jesus and Herod Upon hearing about Jesus, Herod immediately identified him with John. He couldn’t decide what to do about Jesus. He didn’t want to repeat the mistake he had made with John, so he tried to threaten Jesus just before his final journey to Jerusalem.

Herod Was A Poor Listener : 

Herod Was A Poor Listener Herod had proved himself a poor listener to John, and Jesus had nothing to add to John’s words. Herod responded with spite and mocking. Having rejected John the messenger, he found it easy to reject Jesus, the Messiah. When the two met briefly during Jesus’ trial, Jesus would not speak to Herod.

Herod’s Strengths : 

Herod’s Strengths He built the city of Tiberius and oversaw other architectural projects He ruled the region of Galilee for the Romans Weaknesses and mistakes He was consumed with his quest for power Herod put off decisions or made wrong ones under pressure He divorced his wife to marry the wife of his half brother, Philip Under pressure he imprisoned John the Baptist and later ordered his execution Herod did play a minor part in the execution of Jesus