Introduction
There are some commentators that talk about this being a fun example or illustration of how Mark was an oral gospel. Because in verse 14 he’s alluding to the fact that John the Baptist is dead, but he never actually explained in the Gospel thus far that John the Baptist had been killed. And so, like we sometimes do when we’re telling a story, we have to backtrack for a second to share a little bit more detail about something that we missed. So, if John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, he first had to have died.
And while this is a fun illustration of how some of these oral gospel traditions worked, there’s not a lot that is actually funny about this text.
Mark’s version of this story is by far the most fleshed out of any of the synoptics. Matthew follows Mark’s trajectory but includes far fewer details. Luke doesn’t go into the party story at all.
So, for a gospel that’s known for its brevity and immediacy, why does mark take the time to pause here and recap this entire scene about a character who is not Jesus or one of the twelve?
Narrative Context
A major contrast here that can’t be ignored is that this will be followed up in the Gospel narrative by the feeding of the 5000. The juxtaposition of an extravagant party hosted by King Herod that ultimately ends in death and separation at the hands of the powerful and elite, followed by a mass feeding of people with simple fish and bread, where no one is turned away, and instead all are given a promise of life in abundance. There are many commentaries that expound on this a little bit further and so I don’t want to rehash what many of them are already talking about. But Herod who is called King (even though he’s really the tetrarch and not officially the “king”), is then placed in contrast with Jesus, who will be mockingly called “King of the Jews” by Pilate (15:1-20).
Additionally, people question if John is Elijah. This offers some odd similarities. In just a few chapters (although we already heard them this year), Jesus will ask who folks say he is and the disciples respond, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; and still others say one of the prophets.” We as the hearers know that John is the Elijah figure, the eschatological forerunner. But that Jesus is being seen similarly a few chapters later means a couple of things. First, Jesus and John’s messages are similar. But it also means that the world is not seeing Jesus fully for who he is. Only Peter sees it when he calls Jesus the Messiah. But even Peter does not fully understand because he does not understand that Jesus is the crucified Messiah. Jesus is not fully revealed yet.
So, we have these connections which lead to the major emphasis of this text. John was arrested and beheaded for upsetting the wrong people in power. He spoke up against Herod and Herodias and is executed because of it. And already we have been hearing that people are plotting against Jesus. If chapter 8 is the first pronouncement of Jesus’ death and resurrection, then this might be the first major illusion to it just a couple chapters before. If John was executed, then Jesus is in danger of the same thing. And again, we know that’s where the story is heading. Jesus too will be executed for upsetting the wrong people. But in John’s case, his disciples take his body and lay him in the tomb. Jesus’ body will instead be cared for by Joseph of Arimathea and laid in a tomb because Jesus’ disciples have fled in fear. But those aren’t the only illusions here. Herod believes that Jesus could be John raised from the dead. Ironically it will be Jesus who is raised.
And I believe that is why Mark carefully adds this story to the mix.
Yes, it’s in contrast to the feeding of the 5,000. Yes, it explains a little about John the Baptist and his movement. Yes, it adds to the confusion about Jesus’ identity. But it also emphasizes (to the greatest extent) the inevitable danger that Jesus is in. But also, just as inevitably, Jesus will overcome even the most powerful forces of the world. Kings, rulers, jealousy, and hatred. And even death.
Preaching Possibilities
Plan, Plan, Plan
Next week’s text alludes to the feeding of the 5,000 from Mark but the lectionary then skips over it. But then on July 28th we have the 5 weeks of Bread of Life. I mention this because even though it’s essential to Mark’s connection as a banquet/anti-banquet imagery, there will be many opportunities to talk about it over the next 6 weeks. Just suggesting that you don’t use up feast/banquet material early.
A Chance to Pause
In this Markan flashback, we have a chance to pause. We can look back on where we’ve been in the story and what Jesus has done to this point. We could also use this as an opportunity to reflect on who John the Baptist is. Both in Mark’s canon but also in the overall gospel canon. We often talk about John in Advent or around Jesus’ baptism, but we rarely spend time on who John is outside of the emphasis of a messianic forerunner. This gives us a chance to look at John the prophet. John the martyr. John the leader of a different movement than the movement of Jesus.
Prophecy: A Danger
Mark is not mincing words. Mark is placing this before us the very real future of Jesus. Jesus is already being targeted by leaders in Galilee. And like John who proclaimed a baptism of repentance (1:4) and accused those in power of living outside of the law and justly (6:18), Jesus begins his ministry proclaiming that “the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news (1:15).” When you call for those around you to repent and when you call for those in power to change their ways, you put yourself at risk. Whether in John or Jesus’ time or Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s or Oscar Romero’s or Martin Luther King Jr.’s. It’s not just a hometown where a prophet is not welcome.
But Jesus knows this. He will speak it boldly and name it widely in just a few chapters. He knows where this leads. He knows the powers and rulers of this world and how the act and respond to calls for equity and justice for those who are in need, exploited, or hungry. And Jesus will continue to proclaim this message, defying the forces that attempt to silence him so that all the world might repent and believe in the good news of the coming kingdom of God. Where all have what they need. All are fed. All are healed. All have a seat at the table. Where the powerful serve. Where the rich give in abundance. Where humility and truth reign.
Micah Krey 
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