Herodias: an immoral woman who plotted a man's death

Her name means heroic but she did not act in any way heroic. Herodias was a proud woman who longed to be queen. She left one man to marry another. She used her daughter to manipulate her husband into doing her will. She acted arrogantly in complete disregard for the laws of the land. She was rebuked by John the Baptist for her sin and in response she plotted for his death. She may have relished in the face that she was able to get rid of John the Baptist and his message. What is her story? What is at the core of her story? What lesson can we draw?

Herodias was the granddaughter of Herod the Great, who ruled Judea for thirty-four years. His reign had brought prosperity to a troubled region of the Roman Empire. He built theaters, amphitheaters and race courses, palaces and a magnificent temple in Jerusalem and lowered taxes. However, his reign had its shadows. He had ordered the slaughter of Jewish boys in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16-18).Herod also ordered the deaths of his favorite wife (her grandmother) and three of his sons for real or imagined intrigues. Herodias had married two of Herod the Great’s sons who survived his bloodlust: Philip and Herod Antipas. When Antipas was appointed the tetrarch of Galilee and Persia, she divorced Philip to marry Herod Antipas and Antipas divorced his wife for Herodias. With his new powerful position, they probably left untouchable. However, their marriage angered the people as it was against Jewish law. It forbade a man from marrying his brother’s divorced wife. It was seen as incestuous and unclean (Leviticus 18:16, Leviticus 20:21). One man dared be vocal about their marriage. John the Baptist cared nothing for diplomacy and he spared no one as he preached a message of repentance. 

Her family had been corrupted for many years. They knew how to use and abuse power. Each step of her family made down the path to sin until what would have been unconscionable is now acceptable and even reasonable. Herodias may not have even considered her act sinful but a political move. Herodias wanted John dead.. According to Mark 6:21-22, on Herod’s birthday, a feast was held and Herodias’ young daughter, Salome, performed a lewd dance for him and his guests. The dance so pleased Antipas that he promised anything she wanted. Urged by her mother, Salome requested the head of John the Baptist (Mark 6:24-25). Antipas ordered the beheading of John the Baptist, despite his own misgivings (Mark 6:26-27). At the core of her story is a closure against the gospel and the truth. Instead of listening to John’s correction, she found a way to silence him. She possibly was also giving a warning to others who would dare follow in his example. Herodias was a bitter, immoral and manipulative woman. She acted as if killing John would remove her sin, her guilt. She valued the power her marriage gave her rather than being living right with God. 

It is a natural defense to reject criticism. No one wants to be wrong. Being receptive to criticism simply means we are open to our sins, our flaws and our need for God’s forgiveness and help to change. When we are confronted lovingly about sin in our lives, it is an opportunity to repent and turn back to God. A habit of repentance makes one’s heart fertile soil for God’s grace. Proverbs 12:1 says “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid” (The King James Version uses the word “brutish”). Hating correction is a problem with pride. This is a pride that is arrogant and a sense of superiority. Proverbs 11:2, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Developing a spirit of humility toward correction takes grace, a grace that only comes from God. It has been said that only the wise are teachable (Proverbs 21:11-12) as they are willing to listen and learn from their mistakes as well as the mistakes of others. When you are confronted with a sin, thank the individual for the bravery to confront you and take it to God. 

In conclusion, Herodias was an immoral woman who nursed a grudge. She was confronted with a harsh truth. And instead of heeding that correction, she orchestrated the death of the man who dared put out that truth. Her physical removal of John did not eliminate her guilt. Her story is a lesson against the anger defensiveness that can often bubble up when we are confronted. It takes humility and grace to acknowledge the truth and seek God’s forgiveness and guidance. Sin will devour and consume us if unchecked. God promises us that if we come to him in repentance, He will forgive us (Psalm 32:5, Psalm 103:10-12). Will you go to Him?