Mark 6:17-19a - Confronting Public Sins

Mark 6:17-19a
¹⁷ For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her. ¹⁸ For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” ¹⁹ Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. 

Message: Confronting Public Sins


Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus arrives in Nazareth, about a 3 day journey from Capernaum. He has made it to his hometown and he speaks in the synagogue. Many of his people did not accept him; he continued to heal, but maybe not to the extent that he could because of their unbelief. The message still goes out. Jesus commissions his disciples with the message of repentance. Many hear of Jesus and his message, wondering where he came from and who He really is: prophet, priest, king. Included in this wondering is Herod Antipas, who killed John the Baptist.

Herod and his family are known for their cruelty. Near the time of Jesus' birth, Herod had all boys age two and younger in Bethlehem murdered. His son, Herod Antipas, married an Arabian princess, then divorced her to marry Herodias, who was married to Antipas brother, Philip. Herodias was Herod Antipas niece. Herodias left Philip for Antipas in hopes of social advancement. Old Testament law forbid this.

In today's passage is the record that John the Baptist made it known that this was wrong. Faithfulness to the Word of God was key. And John the Baptist took a stand against sins of society and it cost him. For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias. At this time, it was wrong to speak out against the rulers of the kingdom. That was a crime that could put a person in prison and for John that happened. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

Today, I think the sins of society are so plentiful that while Christians call out sins they very often have to deal with the same sins within Christendom as well. Yet, do we not still have a responsibility to divide the truth and call out sin or do we often revert too quickly to subtle toleration by the words: "don't judge." Another problem I see is sins are so abundant in society. Blasphemy, adultery, idolatry, coveting, lying, slander, sabbath keeping and thievery are some examples of sins that have become socially acceptable that to confront these sins would be a full-time job. 

And yet, isn't it the obligation of the Christian to defend truth by exposing the lies that are being put forth? I believe, however, that we as Christians, because of our quest always for personal safety and preserving comfort, end up not confronting these sins and instead choose to focus on other truths of the Word like loving one another in hopes that the Gospel itself would change people. 

People hate to be confronted with their sin. We will often defend our actions with excuses or point the finger at others, repeating the sin of Eve - the devil made me do it. Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. For Herodias this turned into not simply having John the Baptist in prison, but wanting him put to death. her sin of greed and power, which I'm sure she was justified, resulted in changing husbands and she was not about to have that questioned. Thus, John is martyred for his faith. 

Summary -  The message of the Gospel, while good news to many that understand they are sinners and see the need to repent, for others who believe their sin is justified and therefore, not sin at all, do not want to be told the opposite. But, Christians still have an obligation to call out sin in others, as John the Baptist did and Herod Antipas and his wife took offense of this.

Promise: Christians and the church are to preach against the sins of the state and call both leaders and citizens to repentance. Keep preaching repentance.  

Prayer: Lord, while I want to be a man of the Word, I admit I get caught up in comfort and safety and preserving my livelihood. Forgive me for my selfishness and the way in which I do not defend truth but defend personal safety. Give me wisdom in this day about being true to Truth. I'm too caught up on comfort. I'm too caught up on self-preservation. Lord, give me strength and help me understand what I need to do about confronting the sins of our culture. I do want to follow you Lord in all of the correct ways. Giving you glory, I want this to be my greatest goal.