The Feast of Herod,
Painting by Pieter-Paul Rubens (1577-1640),
Painted between 1635-38,
Oil on canvas
© National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh
The Feast of Herod,
Painting by Pieter-Paul Rubens (1577-1640),
Painted between 1635-38,
Oil on canvas
© National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh
The beheading of John the Baptist
Mark 6:14-29
King Herod had heard about Jesus, since by now his name was well known. Some were saying, ‘John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ Others said, ‘He is Elijah’; others again, ‘He is a prophet, like the prophets we used to have.’ But when Herod heard this he said, ‘It is John whose head I cut off; he has risen from the dead.’
Now it was this same Herod who had sent to have John arrested, and had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, ‘It is against the law for you to have your brother’s wife.’ As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him; but she was not able to, because Herod was afraid of John, knowing him to be a good and holy man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him.
An opportunity came on Herod’s birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.’ And he swore her an oath, ‘I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What shall I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the Baptist.’ The girl hurried straight back to the king and made her request, ‘I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head, here and now, on a dish.’ The king was deeply distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he was reluctant to break his word to her. So the king at once sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John’s head. The man went off and beheaded him in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Reflection on the Painting
The scene described in vivid detail in today’ Gospel reading is one that has inspired artists throughout the centuries. The sumptuous, lavish banquet in Herod’s palace for his birthday turns out to be a banquet of death. Mark the evangelist directly follows this scene with the feeding by Jesus of the multitude. It is as if Mark wants to set Herod’s banquet of death in stark contrast to Jesus’ banquet of life.
One such vivid, rather gruesome depiction of Herod’s banquet of death is this painting by Rubens. At first glance it seems to portray a happy gathering: a joyful party full of dynamism, delicious food, shining silver and colour. Closer inspection however reveals a horrible scene. On his birthday Herod Antipas told his stepdaughter she could have anything she wanted. Prompted by her mother, she asked for the head of John the Baptist, who happened to be downstairs in the dungeons for criticising Herod's marriage to Herodias. The stepdaughter gets her way and we see her presenting the head to Herod. Herodias cruelly takes a fork and prods John's tongue with it. Herod moves back in horror. All figures are painted in 17th-century dress, which would have made the viewers during Rubens’ time connect even more with the scene.
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Escuchando este dia a un sacerdote reflexionar sobre este pasaje del evangelio, decía que se representa la DEFENSA DE LA FAMILIA, que es una lucha a lo largo de la historia,. Enrique VIII mató a Santo Tomas Moro porque no aprobaba que dejara a su esposa por otra. Al final, Enrique VIII obtuvo lo que quería y hasta se separó de la Iglesia Católica. Actualmente, también hay una lucha por la familia, en todo lo que constiruye una familia.
El pasaje de hoy queda reflejado bellamente en la pintura de Rubens .
I’ve never noticed before that Mark takes one step back in time to recount this story. Herod’s past now drives his terrified reaction to the news about Jesus. His words – and the banquet scene as Rubens depicts it – remind me of Macbeth… “I am in blood stepped in so far…that returning were as tedious as go o’er..”
Ruben retrata magistralmente el espanto, el cinismo y la curiosidad morbosa frecuentes aún hoy en las fiestas horribles del poder.
What kind of women are Herodias and her daughter? With a triumphant smile looking at the bleeding head of John the Baptist. I agree with Patricia’s words that Herod looks miserable… he is not happy with his oath. I think he’s is afraid… the consequences of the dead of John…!!
Looking at the painting, I am very glad Herod looks suitably miserable seeing the outcome of his obsession.
Banquet of death and banquet of life. I will remember that. Thank you Deacon.
Rubens – a splendid baroque artist, court painter to the Spanish monarchy. Some find the subjects of his art overly ‘fleshy!’
This story illustrates the folly of sexual obsession – Herod for Salome.
Really like this painting although the Bible passage illustrates human behaviour at its basest.
This is such a well known but extraordinary story that it must have had more than a ring of truth about it. I’m not really sure what the message is trying to convey though? The story is a popular subject matter in art, is it merely the fascination of it? What does everyone else think?
May God save us from bad influences, as they can ruin a lifetime in a blink.
Have a blessed day everybody.