# Day 249

# The Death of John the Baptist

Matthew 14:1–12; 11:7–15

King Herod was wicked and confused. He had married his brother’s wife, Herodias. When John the Baptist heard this, he said, “That’s against the law.” So Herod put John in prison. He was afraid to kill him because John was honored as a prophet.

On Herod’s birthday, they held a feast. Herodias’s daughter danced, and Herod was happy with her. “I’ll give you anything you want,” he promised.

Her mother told her, “Ask for John the Baptist’s head on a plate.” And she did. The king was troubled about this. But everyone had heard his promise. So he sent guards to cut off John’s head. It was given to the girl, who gave it to Herodias.

Jesus had talked to his disciples about John: “He was more than a prophet. He is the man the prophet Malachi wrote about: ‘Look, I’m sending my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare a way for you.’ John did this for me.

“No one ever born was greater than John the Baptist. But the littlest in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. He heard that the good news was coming. Now the good news is yours.”

Questions: What did John the Baptist do for Jesus? Why are the littlest in the kingdom greater than John?