St John The Baptist

St. John was martyred because he spoke the truth to Herod the Emperor of Rome. Herod had divorced his wife so that he could take his brother’s wife, Herodias, for himself. Herod listened to John and knew that he was a good and holy man, he was afraid of John the Baptist because he knew that John’s God was very powerful. His new wife Herodias was not afraid of John the Baptist, she hated him for telling everyone that she was living in sin with Herod and so she made her husband arrest John and put him in prison. Then at Herod’s birthday party Herodias tricked Herod into killing John the Baptist. She sent her daughter to go and dance for Herod and all his friends and she pleased them so much that Herod told Herodias’ daughter that he would give her whatever she wanted, even half of his kingdom. When Herodias’ daughter asked her mother what she should ask for, Herodias said to ask for John the Baptist’s head. So her daughter told King Herod what she wanted and he could not refuse in front of all his guests, because he had promised her anything she wanted. John the Baptist was killed because he spoke the truth and would not stop, because he wanted to see even King Herod turn away from sin and come back to God.