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CTD035
Did Herod want to kill John the Baptist?
The article examines the Gospels of Matthew and Mark on the question of whether Herod Antipas really wanted to kill John the Baptist. Each Gospel presents a different but complementary perspective: Matthew describes Herod's desire to kill him as tempered by fear of the crowd, while Mark emphasizes Herodias's influence and Herod's fascination with John. This analysis portrays a Herod torn between his emotions and external pressures.
Matthew 14.6-11 (King James Version) :But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org