Bible Study (Online): Gospel of Mark ~ Study Thirty

Getting to Know Jesus in the Gospel of Mark

Study Thirty ~ Mark 6:14-29

¹⁴ King Herod heard of it (that Jesus’ disciples were healing and driving out demons), for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” ¹⁵ But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” ¹⁶ But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” ¹⁷ For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. ¹⁸ For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” ¹⁹ And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, ²⁰ for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

²¹ But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. ²² For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” ²³ And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” ²⁴ And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” ²⁵ And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” ²⁶ And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. ²⁷ And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison ²⁸ and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. ²⁹ When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. (Mark 6)

1.  What personal issue had shaped the way Herod thought of Jesus?

 

2. What personal issues had shaped the way Herod handled John the Baptist?

 

3. How did Herodias want to handle her issues with John?

 

4. What quandary did Herod feel in his thoughts about John?

 

5. What does John’s life show about what can happen to those who are faithful in calling people into repentance and faith in Jesus Christ? What does Herod’s life show in regard to those who are double-minded about Jesus?

 

6. What do you know about the way God would look at John’s life and death? How about the way God would look at Herod and Herodius?

 

7. Mark’s gospel account began with the declaration that John the Baptist was the one God had sent to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus Christ (1:1-3). Now that you see all the different things people thought about John, and the different ways they treated him, how has John’s work affected your heart in relation to Jesus Christ?

 

© 2014 Monte Vigh ~ Box 517, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8 ~ in2freedom@gmail.com

Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures are from the English Standard Version (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.)