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John the Baptist is executed

Herod Antipas executes John the Baptist.
Contributed by Sweet Publishing
Story also available on our translated websites: Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Romanian, German, French, Hindi, Simplified Chinese
1
John the Baptist was a fearless preacher who told people to repent and obey God in both their words and actions. – Slide 1
2
Herodias was married to Philip. However she broke Jewish law to divorce him and marry his half-brother Herod Antipas. Herod Antipas also divorced his wife to make the marriage possible. Herodias had a daughter from her first marriage called Salome. – Slide 2
3
Now Herod Antipas was the ruler over the region in which John the Baptist was preaching. John spoke out, rebuking Herod Antipas and Herodias saying it was not lawful for them to act as they had and get married. – Slide 3
4
Herodias was furious with John, and Herod Antipas gave orders for him to be arrested and imprisoned in his fortress near the Dead Sea. Herod would sometimes summon John from his cell and question him about his beliefs but was puzzled by his answers. He realised however, that John was a holy man of God and was fearful of putting him to death. – Slide 4
5
On his birthday, Herod Antipas held a banquet for his high officials, military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. – Slide 5
6
At the festivities, Salome, the daughter of Herodias, danced for the dinner guests. Her dance captivated everyone and pleased Herod Antipas who wanted to reward her. – Slide 6
7
‘Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you,’ Herod told Salome in front of all his guests. Then he boasted on oath, ‘Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.’ – Slide 7
8
Salome left the room to find her mother ‘What shall I ask for?’ she said. ‘The head of John the Baptist,’ her mother replied. – Slide 8
9
Salome rushed back To Herod Antipas and demanded, ‘I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter – right now.’ Herod was distressed at her request but could not break his rash promise in front of all his guests. – Slide 9
10
He gave orders for John to be executed immediately. – Slide 10
11
The executioner brought John’s head on a platter to show the guests at the banquet. Herod presented it to Salome who gave it to her mother. – Slide 11
12
When John’s disciples found out he had been executed they came to Herod’s fortress near the Dead Sea to collect John’s body and bury it. – Slide 12
13
Later, when Herod heard about the miracles that Jesus was performing he was terrified that Jesus might be John the Baptist who had come back to life. However, John had finished his work of preparing the way for Jesus. Jesus said of John, ‘Among those born there has been no-one greater than John the Baptist.’ (Matthew 11 v 11). – Slide 13
14
Slide 14