Mark 6:14-16 - A troubled conscience

We all know that John the Baptist came to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus and that was his ministry. Mark 1:14, briefly tells us that his ministry halted and he was taken into custody. From Mark 6:14 onward we get details of what took place that led to his arrest, imprisonment and martyrdom. Verses 14-16 were Mark’s launching material to lead us to the account of his execution.

These verses also imply that the ministry of the Twelve was very effective. We can surmise that they went everywhere and carried out the instruction of the Lord far and wide. They proclaimed the message of repentance, healed the sick and cast out demons. What they did made impact. Everywhere people were talking about Jesus whom they proclaimed and demonstrated the works that Jesus Himself did. The Lord’s ministry had literally expanded through the Twelve. And it did not go unnoticed by the authority.

Soon people were speculating about who Jesus was and where His power came from. Some said that He was a prophet, like some of the prophets from the Old Testament era. Others said he must be Elijah for there were some great miracles from his ministry. Of course, Herod had his own opinion. He said, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him.” And he kept saying, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen!” It’s amazing that he could come to that conclusion. Herod was believed to be a Sadducee, a sect that did not believe that there would be a resurrection. Why? It must be that Herod was scared out of his wits, and his conscience was bothering him.

This account underscores the necessity to keep a clear conscience. Herod must have realized that what He did to John was unjustified and it bothered him. So he associated Jesus with John. God had made all of us with a conscience as our moral compass. How we educate our conscience is important. If we keep ignoring what God is telling us to avoid or to do, we can develop a dull conscience. Let’s educate our conscience by listening and responding to God’s call or heeding His warning! Let’s continually set our moral compass right and have an educated conscience.