The Lord closes these parables on the similitudes of the kingdom by asking His disciples if they had understood all these things. They reply that they had. He does not question them further but tells them of a responsibility which goes along with such an understanding. “Every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, is like unto a man that is a householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.” There were things old and new contained in these parables. The disciples had thus the old things of prophecy in the earthly things of the kingdom, as well as the new things they had learned from the Lord Himself.
His teachings on the kingdom of heaven ended, the Lord departs, and goes into His own country. There He teaches in their synagogue. They are astonished and ask from where could a man of such lowly station in life get such wisdom and power. “Is not this the carpenter’s son?” they ask. “Is not His mother called Mary?” Thus they stumbled at His lowliness. He was a rock of offense to them. They well knew that He had not studied at Jerusalem as all their men of learning had done. But Jesus tells them, “A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in His own house.” And on account of their unbelief, His works of power and grace in that locality cease. He was rejected, not only as their King, but as a prophet as well.
The Death of a Prophet
The fame of Jesus reaches into Herod’s palace (chap. 14), so that he is forced to own that these acts are works of divine power. Herod’s guilty conscience causes him to think that John the Baptist must be risen from the dead. It is here we learn the circumstances of John’s death. Herod was a false and wicked king who reigned in the land. He had taken Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and John had been both fearless and faithful in speaking out against this unlawful act. Herod had him put in prison. Herod would have had him put to death earlier, but he feared the people would raise a tumult.
But Herodias seizes an opportunity to get rid of John, which was provided at Herod’s birthday feast. The daughter of Herodias came in and danced before Herod. Herod was pleased and made the rash promise that he would give her whatever she asked. Instructed beforehand by her mother what to ask for, she requested the head of John the Baptist. The king was sorry at the request, but feeling he could not go back on his word in the presence of his distinguished guests, he ordered John the Baptist beheaded in prison. This act in itself only shows the sad state of things among the professed people of God — a faithful witness and prophet of God had been slain at the request of a dancing girl.
But it is lovely to see the simple fearless faith of John’s disciples who went and claimed his body and buried it. Then they go and tell Jesus, to whom John had borne witness. To what better Friend could they go to tell out the grief of their hearts? Who could comfort them like He could in the hour of their deepest sorrow?
Further Meditation
1. How did the people show their low spiritual state?
2. What were all the ways the people showed their disregard for Christ in this gospel of Matthew?
3. For more on the moral beauty of the Lord shining through His rejection read A Short Meditation on the Moral Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ by J. G. Bellett.