- The Motivation for the Murder 杀人的动机 (14:1-4)
The reason Herod wanted to kill John the Baptist because John pointed out his sin of taking his brother’s wife. However, he did not do it for he feared what consequence it may bring if he had beheaded John the Baptist.
希律王想杀死施洗约翰的原因是因为约翰指出了希律王的罪，即取自己哥哥的妻子。然而，由于他害怕斩杀施洗约翰后可能带的后果，所以此事一直作罢。
- The Occasion of the Murder 杀人的机会 (14:4-12)
But when Herod’s birthday came, he promised with an oath to give Herodias’ daughter whatever she asked. Having been prompted by her mother, the daughter requested the head of John the Baptist. And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths. John the Baptist became the first martyr in the New Testament for speaking the truth.
但是，当希律王的生日来临，他向希罗底的女儿起誓，应许随她所求的。经过母亲的提示，这女儿便要求要施洗约翰的头。虽然希律王甚是忧愁，但因自己所起的誓，就吩咐人去执行了。如此，施洗约翰就成为新约圣经里第一个为真理而牺牲的殉道者。
- The Reaction to the Murder 他人的反应 (14:5-13)
When Jesus heard it, He withdrew from there in a boat, and to a lonely place by Himself. As the gospel of Mark fill us in on the reason: rest a while (Mark 6:31). The guilt of Herod is clear to himself because when he heard of Jesus, he told them that John has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Jesus (Mat 14:2).
当耶稣听见后，祂便独自一人乘上小船到旷野地去。《马克福音》告诉了我们其原因：为了休息一段时间（可6:31）。希律清楚知道自己有罪，因为当他听见耶稣的传闻时，他说施洗的约翰从死里复活了，所以耶稣能施行这些异能（太14:2）。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- How do we react when our brothers or sisters point out our sin? Do we response differently from Herod? Pray that we are willing to humble ourselves and repent for the glory of God.
当兄弟姊妹指出我们的罪时，我们有什么反应？是否有别于希律王呢？请祷告我们能为了神的荣耀愿意谦卑自己，并认罪悔改。
- Herod was so happy when Herodias’ daughter danced for him on his birthday that he gave a promised that he regret later. How often we give a blanket promise we cannot keep or regret later. Pray that we always prudent and humble in our thoughts and words.
当希罗底的女儿在希律王的生日跳舞时，希律王甚是高兴，以致给予一个随之后悔的承诺。我们是否也曾经许下自己无法遵守或会后悔的空头承诺呢？让我们祷告我们能常常在思想和言语中保持谨慎与谦卑。
- When Jesus heard about the murder of John the Baptist, he withdrew privately to a solitary place. It is alright to grieve, to be alone and to recuperate for a short time. This is what Jesus did – a short time. The next verse we see Him out in the ministry again. Pray that we would take time to pray and re-orientate ourselves after tragedy but do emerge stronger in ministry for the glory of God.
当耶稣听到关于施洗约翰被杀时，祂便独自一人到旷野地去。当人感到悲伤，需要短暂的时间独处休息并没错。这就是耶稣所做的。下一节，我们便马上看见耶稣继续展开事工。请祷告我们能在不幸之事后，能花时间祷告，重组自己，然后为了神的荣耀加倍努力事奉。
