Gospel in Art: The beheading of John the Baptist

Salome with the Head of Saint John the Baptist, by Caravaggio, 1609 © Palacio Real de Madrid, Spain

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 29 August 2023
Mark 6:17-29

Herod 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

Today's Gospel reading recounting the beheading of John the Baptist has caught the imagination of artists and playwrights down through the centuries. The characters in the story are indeed all very memorable and colourful. At the centre of the story is John the Baptist himself, the courageous prophet who spoke God's word fearlessly, now confined in Herod's prison. Then we have Herod, full of inner conflict, fascinated by John's goodness and holiness on the one hand and yet enslaved to worldly temptations and the rash promise he made in response to his step-daughter's dancing. Then we have Herodias, full of spiteful, vengeful bitterness towards John because of his prophetic word. Then finally we have her dutiful daughter, whom tradition has named Salome, the willing servant of her mother's murderous intent.

Taken together, these four characters display the best and the worst instincts of human nature. The stage is set for one of the most horrible scenes in the whole of Scripture: the beheading of John the Baptist. One of such artworks depicting the scene in a highly dramatic, theatrical way is this canvas by Caravaggio. In fact, it depicts the moment after the beheading. Salome is looking away from the severed head. Her mother Herodias on the other hand is gleefully looking at John's head. Caravaggio scholar John Gash notes that the executioner, looking down at the severed head, helps transform the painting "from a provocative spectacle into a profound meditation on death and human malevolence." The National Gallery in London holds a different, slightly earlier version of this composition.

Scripture does not shy away from highlighting the dark and disturbing side of human nature. In the midst of divine goodness there stands true evil that wants to destroy all that is good. Saint John inspires us to be courageous in the face of evil and to witness our faith every step of the way.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/mark-6-17-29-2023/