Beheading of John the Baptist

When I reread this familiar story about the beheading of John the Baptist in Mark 6:17-29 I wondered why Mark has so much detail. Normally Mark keeps his stories short and without too much detail. I looked up a commentary which noted that this is the only narrative in Mark’s gospel where Jesus is not present or mentioned at all. The commentator also went on to say that the probable reason why this story has so much detail is that Mark is trying to show the similarities between the death of John the Baptist and the death of Jesus. But this is a story that is so sad. John was arrested because he spoke out against King Herod for having taken his brother’s wife, Herodias. The king did not want to kill John because he liked listening to him. Still, the wife waited for her moment. Than came the birthday party and Herodias arranged for her daughter to entertain Herod and his guests. Her dance so entranced Herod that he made a rash oath to give her whatever she wanted. The girl went out and asked the mother who demanded the head of John the Baptist. So caught up in the moment probably, the girl went further and demanded that John’s head be bought straight away on a dish. Without time to think what he was doing and afraid of breaking his oath which everyone heard, he went ahead and had John’s executed in this very brutal manner. As I reflect upon this story, John reminds me of so many other prophets who were executed for having spoken the truth. Let us pray for those in our present times who face possible death for speaking out against corruption or for speaking the truth.