The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1906-05-18
DEATH OF JOHN
THE BAPTIST
Sunday School Lesson Tor May 20. 1906
Specially Prepared for This Paper.


vine wherein is excess, "-Eph. 5:1S
TIME.-Imprisonmen of John after near
two years of preaching took place in
March or April A. ID. rs, and he was be-
headed just a year later, at the age OF 49,
PLACE.-Jesus in Galilee with disciples.
Iohn in prison in Machaerus, east of the
Dead sea, where probably Herods feast
.ook place.
Comment and Suggestive Thought,
V. H. King Herod." Mark, Tor
courtesy, styles him king. Heard OF
Him." Heard of Jesus, who was at
tracing so much attention by His won
drous works in Galilee. His name
was spread abroad" The apostles
were journeying through Galilee, thus
multiplying Jesus influence and ex-
tending His fame. John the Baptist
the dead" Herod was at least
nominally a Sadducee, and professed
to believe neither in spirits nor a res
direction.
V. Is. Others said" Others enter
tanned various opinions about Jesus.
With these they tried to calm Herod's
troubled conscience. ELIAS" Elijah.
"A prophet, or as one" A new prophet,
or as one bearing great resemblance to
the old prophets.
V. II. "Herod himself. mot moved
by matters of state, but for purely per-
sonal reasons. Laid hold upon John"
Arrested MIN. For Herodias' sake"
Because the crime for which John re-
preached him was with and on &C
count of Herodias.
V. Is. John had said unto Herod."
He had repeatedly besought the let-
rarch to forsake his sin, undoubtedly
assuring him that even for such as
he, there was forgiveness and restora-
ton from God upon true repentance.
1T is not lawful for thee to have
her." He was her uncle, and 1t was
not lawful for those so near Of kin
the marry; moreover he had wife
and she a husband living at the time.
" 10. Had a quarrel" Rev. Yer,
"Set herself against him." That is,
she became the sworn enemy of the
Baptist. She strongly desired to kill
him." but could not" because she
lacked personal authority; and Herod
would not order his execution.
V. 20. "Herod feared John" Mat
thew says he also feared the people,
for they counted John great prophet.
observed him" Kept him safe
out of the reach of Herodias' malice.
Heard him." Herod was man of
keen intellect, and IL seems that Herod
often called the prisoner from the dun
geon to the palace, which was under
the same roof, that he might listen to
him. He did many things" or was
much perplexed." Perhaps he aban-
doned some sins, and began the prac-
tice of some virtues.
V. 81. "A convenient day" A day
which brought Herodias opportunity
for executing her purpose. Lords, high
captains, chief estates" The three
classes mentioned were the great men
of the court, of the army and of the
province.
V. %. THE daughter Of Herodias. +"
Salome. Game in and danced" In
high dignitaries would be incomplete
without the coming of one or more
professional dancing-girls in dainty
costumes and with voluptuous dances,
commonly accompanied by tam
bourines or tinkling bells, to entertain
men of debased instincts. But for
one of high birth to enter the banquet
ing hall, was considered a great shame,
hence the strong expression, herself
came in" PLEASED Herod." He fan
cied that Salome honored him by de-
grading herself. Had he been sober,
he would have felt Mortified.
V. %. He sware." He confirmed his
words by repeated oaths Unto the
half OF my kingdom" A foolishly ex-
travagant expression commonly used
by kings, but not meant to be lit
orally interpreted.
V. "a. Went forth" Left the scene
of feasting to find her mother, who
was in another part of the castle.
"The head of John the Baptist" This
request Herod would be warranted in
refusing. Johns head was of more
value than the half of his kingdom,
anu ~ just law was IL Ills W
give.
V. rs. "Straightway with haste" I'm
doubtedly Herodias counseled great
haste of all parties, lest the girl be-
come too Mortified to proffer the re-
quest, and lest Herod, when sobered.
refuse to grant IT, by and by" I'M
mediately. "In a charger" In a plat
ter, a dish.
V. rs. Exceedingly sorry" Herod's
sorrow was probably as deep as he
was capable of feeling, but was not,
as the sequel shows, deep enough to
cause him to refuse the Infamous re-
quest. "Oath's sake" In the original
the word oath" is plural, indicating
that he had made the promise repeat
eddy. For their sakes." Lest he
should appear to them to be tickle and
vaccillating. Reject her." Refuse to
grant her request.
Practical Points.
v. IL. 1t is no excuse for sin that
1t was done at the instigation or for
the sake of another.-Ezek. 1920.