King Herod Thinks John the Baptist was Risen - Mark 6:14

Mark wrote how Jesus, “called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits. And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse. But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto them, In what place soever you enter into an house, there abide till you depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when you depart there, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them”, and in chapter six and verse fourteen of his book, Mark writes how, “King Herod heard of” Jesus where we read:

And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.

The verse reads, “And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:)” Mark began with the words, “and king Herod” or “and the leader, prince, commander and lord of the land whose name was Herod which means heroic” “heard of him” which means “was given the faculty for hearing, perceiving, understanding, noticing and discerning who Jesus was”; “(for his name” or “because, since and on account that Jesus' name which covers everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering within a person” “was spread abroad” which means “was apparent, manifest, evident, recognized and known”). Mark shared how “Herod” the “king” heard about Jesus because His “name” was being widely recognized and known.

The verse goes on to say, “and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.” Mark continued with the words, “and he said” which means “and Herod the king uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “That John the Baptist” or “the one whose name means Jehovah is a gracious giver and was known for baptizing, dipping repeatedly, immersing and submersing people in water as an outward showing of their inward repentance” “was risen from the dead” which means “was aroused, raised up and resurrected from the non-living, lifeless, deceased, departed and inanimate”, “and therefore mighty works” or “and for this reason and cause strength, power and ability to perform miracles” “do show forth themselves” which means “manifest, display and are operative” “in him” or “within Jesus”. Mark shared how “King Herod” believed that “John the Baptist” was alive again in Jesus and for this reason He was able to perform all His miracles.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how “King Herod” was haunted by the death of John the Baptist. Because Jesus came performing miracles and declaring the “gospel” of the Kingdom and repentance, Herod believed John had risen from the dead within Him. The world's assessment of what God is doing is not always accurate, and because they do not know Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, all kinds of allegations may be made concerning Him. Those who are wise will study the scriptures and discover who Jesus really is, and when they find Him, their best response is to yield and submit to Him completely.

Next time Mark shares how, “Others said, That is Elias” or “that is a prophet, or as one of the prophets”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".