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Chapter 30MedVC.1.30

De obitu Joannis Baptistae

The Martyrdom of the Forerunner

The wicked Herod and Herodias conspire to kill John the Baptist, and he is beheaded in prison despite his extraordinary holiness.

Here a meditation can arise on the death of blessed John the Baptist — his hope of what he would receive, and his reward. Otherwise — of blessed John the Baptist. Consider, therefore, that most wicked Herod and that wretched adulteress — how they had agreed together to kill him, so as not to face the conviction of their sin. And so it happened that on the day of the banquet, to the dancing of the miserable daughter of Herodias herself, the head of John was given.✦ And so he was beheaded in prison.✦ See what a great man he was — and how manfully, and how enormously so, with wickedness reigning and holding sway — and yet he fell. O God, how could You have permitted this to happen? What is there to ponder in this — that John should die in such a way, John who was of such great perfection and holiness that he was thought to be Christ?✦

The Greatness of John According to the Saints

The Roman Church honors John above all saints after Christ, and blessed Bernard praises him as the Bridegroom's closest friend, exalted even above Peter and Paul.

So then, if you want to meditate well on this matter after their wicked deeds, consider John's greatness, his unique excellence, and then you'll be able to stand firm. Now you heard in the earlier treatise how he was commended by the Lord in many ways; hear now how blessed Bernard commends him in a certain sermon, speaking thus: "The sole mother and mistress of the prayers of the churches, the Roman Church, and of whom it was said: 'I have asked for you, Peter, that your faith may not fail' — in honor of John the Baptist, after the name of the Savior, she is consecrated and sealed.✦ For it was fitting that the Bride should bring forward the Bridegroom's closest friend to that place where she herself ascends to preeminence.✦ Peter is crucified, Paul is put to the sword; yet their dignity remains — before whom? To the runner. Rome is made purple by the multitude of martyrs, and all that exaltation is poured back upon the blessed patriarch. John is greater everywhere, singular in all things, wonderful above all. Who?

John's Singular Excellence in Sacred Scripture

John was filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb, leaped before Christ, lived in the desert, preached repentance, and baptized the King of Glory.

Was he gloriously announced?✦ Who is it written was so specially filled with the Holy Spirit within his mother's womb?✦ Whom have you read about leaping within his mother's womb?✦ Whose birth have you heard the Church celebrate? Who so longed for the desert life?✦ Who, as it's said, lived so sublimely? Who first showed repentance and the kingdom of heaven?✦ Who baptized the glorious King?✦

The Witness of the Trinity and the Church

The Trinity revealed itself to John, Christ bore witness to him, and the Church honors him as patriarch, prophet, and angel.

To whom did the Trinity first reveal itself so openly? To whom did the Lord Jesus Christ offer such testimony?✦ Whom has the Church honored so greatly? John, a patriarch — or rather, the end and crown of the patriarchs; John, a prophet — or rather more than a prophet, because he not only announces the one who is to come but points him out with his finger; John, an angel — but chosen among angels, with the Savior himself bearing witness — who —✦✦ . , 113, 15. Of Berius. , or if any other author, serin.

John's Titles and Prophetic Mission

John is apostle, evangelist, virgin, martyr, the voice in the desert, the forerunner, Elijah, and the burning lamp.

dc pnvil. S. iuter diibia S. II, coi. 682, Mtitlfi. , XI, 10. cit ^: Behold, I send my angel, etc.✦ John the apostle — but the first and chief of the apostles, who was the first man sent by God; John the evangelist — but the first herald and preacher of the gospel, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God; John the virgin — nay, the distinguished mirror of virginity, the title of chastity, the example of purity; John the martyr — but also the light of martyrs, between the birth and death of Christ, the most steadfast model of martyrdom. He himself is the voice crying out in the desert, the forerunner of the Judge, the herald of the Word.✦ He himself is Elijah; up to him the law and the prophets; a lamp shining and burning.✦✦✦

The Shame of John's Innocent Death

Despite John's supreme dignity, he is executed like the worst criminal, yet he humbly bends his neck and patiently endures the blows.

I pass over in silence the fact that he was placed among the nine orders of angels, so that he is raised even to the summit of the Seraphim. "Thus far Bernard."1 Hear now how Peter Chrysologus, archbishop of Ravenna, when he commends John, speaks thus in a certain sermon: "John, the school of virtues, the mastery of life, the model of holiness, the standard of justice, and so on."2 "If therefore you compare side by side the excellence and dignity of John with the depth of the crimes of those who killed him, you will rightly have cause both to be astonished and to murmur — if it is right to say so — even against God."3 For to this man, so great and so eminent, an executioner is sent, so that his head is cut off as if he were some most vile and worst murderer and destroyer.45 Look at him, then, with reverence and grief: how at the command of a vile and worthless executioner he prepares his neck, humbly bends his knees, and giving thanks to God, places his most sacred head upon the level block or stone, and patiently endures the blows until it is entirely cut off.6 See how John goes forth — the closest friend, kinsman of the Lord Jesus, and the greatest confidant of God.78 Truly it is a great shame for us, who have no patience whatever in the face of adversity.9

Our Shame and John's Patience

John the innocent endured such a death patiently, yet we who are sinners cannot bear even small injuries or harsh words.

John the innocent endured such a death patiently; and yet we, for the most part sinning and burdening ourselves, worthy of the wrath of God, cannot even tolerate small injuries and grievances — nay, for the most part, not even words. The Lord Jesus was then in the regions of Judea, but not in that particular land. When news of his death had been brought there, the merciful God wept for His champion and His own cousin; His disciples also wept with him; and the blessed Virgin, who was honored as the friend of the Bridegroom and His own special kinswoman, wept as well.✦ [The text is too corrupt to translate with confidence — possibly a continuation regarding the Virgin as friend of the Bridegroom.] The authority of the friend of the Bridegroom and the Bride would follow, and His own special friend.✦ — Cad. edtt. Chrysogonus.

The Mourning of Christ and His Mother

God wept for His champion, the Virgin mourned as the friend of the Bridegroom, and Christ explained that John died for the Father's justice and now reigns eternally.

. He raised up that very one born from the earth and loved him most tenderly. But the Lord was comforting his mother; she herself, though, was saying: 'Son, why didn't you defend him, so that he wouldn't die like this?' To whom the Son: 'Revered mother, such a defense was not fitting for him.' For he himself has died on behalf of my Father, and for the defense of his justice; and soon he will be in his glory. For the Father himself does not intend to defend his own in such a way in this world, because they are not going to remain here any longer, nor is their homeland here, but in the heavens. John has been freed from the bonds of the body, and there is no power in the world to die again. The enemy raged against him as much as he could, but he himself will reign with my Father into eternity.

Comfort and Following the Lord

Christ comforts His mother, then departs for Galilee, and the reader is urged to meditate devoutly and follow the Lord wherever He goes.

So take heart, dearest mother, because John will always be well. Then, after some days had passed, the Lord Jesus left those regions and returned to Galilee. But as for you, be present to all that has been described, meditate on these things devoutly, and wherever the Lord goes, follow him.

Read the original Latin

Hic potest occurrere meditatio de morte ipuulla spe percepti retribulioue. pauto aliter. sius beati Joannis Baptistae. Cura ergo Herodes ille neqnissimus, et adultera illa pessiraa siraul forle condixissent ipsura occidere, ut pcccati sui redargutionem non haberentj contigit, ut in die convivii ' saltanti miserce filiae ipsius Herodiadis daretur caput Joannis. Et sic fuit in carcere decollatus. Vide quantus vir, et quam viriliter, et quam enormiter regnante ac imperante nequitia, occubuit. 0 Deus, qualiter boc fieri permisisti? Quid est hoc cogitare, quod taliter moriatur Joannes, qui tantfe perfectionis et sanctitatis erat, ut putaretur = esse Christus?

Igitur si vis bene hoc negoliuni ruminare post nefaria opera eorura, cogita JoanDis magnitudinem, et excellentiam singularem, et tunc poteris stnpere. Audisti autem in superiori tractatu, qualiter fuit a Domino commendatus in multis; audi nunc quomodo commendat eum beatus Bernardus in quodam serraone, sic dicens ': " Ula mater et magistra oranium ecclesiarum Romaua Ecclesia, et de qua est dictum *: Ego pro ie rogavi, Pelre, ut non deficiat fides tua, in honorem Joannis Baptistae post Salvatoris nomen consecrata est et signata. Dignum namque fuit, ut singularem amicum sponsi sponsa illuc proveheret, ubi principatumipsaconscendit. Crucifigitur Petrus, Paulus gladiatur; sed tamen dignitas remanet Pra? cursori. Purpuratur Roma multitudine martyrum, totaque sublimitas beato refunditur patriarchae. Joannes ubique major, in omnibus singularis, mirabiUs super omnes. Quis?

ic gloriose annuntiatus est? Quis sic speciaUter intra matris uterum Spiritu sancto legitur fuisse repletus? Quem legistis intra matris uterum exultasse? Cujus nativitatem audistis Ecclesiam celebrare? Quis sic ereraum cupivit? Quis sic sublimiter legitur conversatus? Quis poenitentiam et regnum coelorum primus ostendit? Quis regem glorias baptizavit?

Cui se primum Trinitas sic aperte revelavit? Cui tale testimonium preebuit Dominus Jesus Christus? Quem sic honoravit Ecclesia? Joannes patriarcha, imo patriarcharum finis et caput; Joannes propheta, imo plusquam propheta, quia quem venientem nuntiat, digito monstrat; Joannes angolus, sed inter angelos electus est, Salvatore testante, qui di- Lvr. . , 111, 15. Berii. , vel si quis alius auclor, serin.

dc pnvil. S. iuter diibia S. II, coi. 682, Mtitlfi. , XI, 10. cit ^: Ecce ego mitto angelum meum, etc. Joannes apostolus, sed apostolorum primus et princeps, qui primus ^ fuit homo missus a Deo; Joannes evangeUsta, sed evangelii primus annunUator, praedicator praedicans evangelium regni Dei; Joannes virgo, imo virginitaUs insigne speculum, pudiciUcTD titulus, casUtaUs exemplum; Joannes martyr, sed et marlyrum lumen, inter naUvitatem mortemque Christi, martyrii constanUssima forma. Ipse vox in deserto clamanUs^ praecursor judicis, praeco Verbi. Ipse est EUas; usque ad eum lex et prophetoe; lucerna lucens, et ardens.

Silentio transeo, quod sic novem angelorum ordinibus insertus est, ut etiam ad Seraphim apicem transferatur. " Hucusque Bernardus. Audi nunc qualiter cum commendat Petrus Clirysologus archiepiscopus Ravennensis in sermone quodam, sic dicens "^: " Joannes schola virtutum, magisterium vitee, sancUtatis forma, norma justiUae, etc. " Si ergo ad invicem comparas excellenUam, et dignitatem Joannis, et profunditatem scelerum eorum, qui ipsum occiderunt, merito habebis materiam stupendi, et murmurandi, si fas sit dicere, etiam contra Deum. Nam ad hunc talem et tantum mittitur spiculator, ut amputetur caput ejus, ac si esset aliquis vilissimus et pessimus horaicida et depopulator. Conspice ergo eum reverenter et cum dolore, qualiter ad jussum vilis et nequam speculatoris collum parat, humiliter genua flectit,etgraUas Deo agens ponit sacratissimum caput super aUquo trunco vel lapide, et paUenter ictus sustinet, quousque totaUter abscindatur. Ecce quomodo vadit Joannes amicus inUmus, et Domini Jesu consanguineus, et Dei maximus secretarius. Vere magna nobis confusio, qui paUentiam in quibuscumqueadversitatibus noii habemus.

Joannesinnocens raortemet talem mortemsusUnuitpatienter; et nos plerumque peccaUs aggravaU, et ira Dei digni, non possumus etiam parvas injurias et gravamina tolerare, imo plerumque nec verba. Dorainus autem Jesus erat tunc in parUbus Judaeae, sed non in terra illa. Cum autem obitus ejus fuerat ibi nunUatus, flevit pius Deus pugilem suumet consobrinum; fleverunt eUam discipuli ejus cum eo; flevit beata Virgo, quae honorf! ainicum spoiisae. amicum sponsi sponsae sequerelur aucloritas, et singulareni auiicum ejus. — Cad. edtt. Cbrysogonus.

. H50 ipsum natum de terra levavitj et tenerrime eum dilexit. Sed Dominus consolabatur matrem suam; ipsa vero dicebat: Fili, quare non defendisti eum, ne sic moreretur? Cui filius: Reverenda mater, non expediebat ei talis defensio. Nam ipse pro meo Patre mortuus est, et pro defensione suee justitise; cito autem erit in ejus gloria. Ipse enim Pater non intendit suos defendere tali modo in hoc mundo, quia non sunt hic diutius moraturi, nec eorum patria hic est, sed in coelis. Joannes solutus est a vinculis corporis, nec est vis in mundo moriendi. Saeviit hostis in eum quantum potuit, sed ipse regnabit cum Patre meo in aiternum.

Igitur consoleris, charissima mater, quia Joanni semper erit bene. Postea vero aliquibus elapsis diebus, discessit Dominus Jesus de partibus illis, etrediit in Galilaeam. Tu autem praedictis omnibus te praesentem exhibeas, et ea mediteris devote, et quocumque Dominus ierit, eum sequaris

Scripture echoes

  1. ↩Matt.14.1-Matt.14.12;Mark.6.14-Mark.6.29 — In that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus. Matt.14.2 — And he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead, and that is why these powers are at work in him." Matt.14.3 — For Herod had seized John, bound him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. Matt.14.4 — For John had been saying to him, 'It is not lawful for you to have her.' Matt.14.5 — And though he wanted to kill him, he feared the crowd, because they held him to be a prophet. Matt.14.6 — But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst and pleased Herod. Matt.14.7 — So he promised her with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Matt.14.8 — But having been prompted by her mother, she said, 'Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.' Matt.14.9 — And the king was grieved, but because of the oaths and those reclining at table, he commanded it to be given. Matt.14.10 — And he sent orders and had John beheaded in the prison." This makes the implied agency clear without softening the brutality. Matt.14.11 — And his head was brought on a platter, and it was given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Matt.14.12 — And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they came and reported to Jesus. Mark.6.14 — And King Herod heard of it, for his name had become known, and people were saying, 'John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why these powers are at work in him.' Mark.6.15 — But others were saying, 'He is Elijah.' But others were saying, 'He is a prophet, like one of the prophets.' Mark.6.16 — But when Herod heard, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." Mark.6.17 — For Herod himself had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. Mark.6.18 — For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." Mark.6.19 — And Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not. Mark.6.20 — For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he listened to him gladly. Mark.6.21 — And when the right day came, Herod on his birthday made a feast for his courtiers and the military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. Mark.6.22 — And when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those reclining at table with him. And the king said to the girl, \"Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.\ Mark.6.23 — And he swore to her, "Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom." Mark.6.24 — She went out and said to her mother, 'What should I ask for?' And she said, 'The head of John the Baptist.' Mark.6.25 — And having entered immediately with haste to the king, she asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist." Mark.6.26 — And though the king was deeply distressed, because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her. Mark.6.27 — And immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring his head. Mark.6.28 — and he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. Mark.6.29 — When his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his body and laid it in a tomb.
  2. ↩Matt.14.10-Matt.14.11;Mark.6.27-Mark.6.28 — And he sent orders and had John beheaded in the prison." This makes the implied agency clear without softening the brutality. Matt.14.11 — And his head was brought on a platter, and it was given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Mark.6.27 — And immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring his head. Mark.6.28 — and he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.
  3. ↩Luke.9.19 — They answered, "John the Baptist; but others say Elijah; and others that one of the old prophets has risen."
  4. ↩Luke.22.32 — But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.
  5. ↩John.3.29 — The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine is now complete.
  6. ↩Luke.1.15-Luke.1.17;John.1.6-John.1.8 — For he will be great before the Lord, and he shall never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. Luke.1.16 — And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. Luke.1.17 — And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. John.1.6 — There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. John.1.7 — He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. John.1.8 — He himself was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.
  7. ↩Luke.1.15 — For he will be great before the Lord, and he shall never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.
  8. ↩Luke.1.41 — And it came to pass, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
  9. ↩Matt.3.1;Mark.1.3-Mark.1.4 — In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea. Mark.1.3 — A voice of one calling in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight." Mark.1.4 — John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
  10. ↩Matt.3.1-Matt.3.2 — In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea. Matt.3.2 — and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
  11. ↩Matt.3.13-Matt.3.17;John.1.29-John.1.34 — Then Jesus comes from Galilee to the Jordan, to John, to be baptized by him. Matt.3.14 — But John tried to prevent him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?' Matt.3.15 — But Jesus answered him, "Permit it now, for it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted him. Matt.3.16 — And when Jesus had been baptized, he immediately went up from the water. And behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. Matt.3.17 — And behold, a voice from the heavens said, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' John.1.29 — The next day he sees Jesus coming toward him and says, "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John.1.30 — This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.' John.1.31 — And I myself did not know him, but in order that he might be revealed to Israel, I came baptizing with water. John.1.32 — And John testified, saying, 'I have seen the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.' John.1.33 — And I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining — this is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' John.1.34 — And I have seen and have testified that this one is the Son of God.
  12. ↩John.1.35-John.1.36 — The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples. John.1.36 — And looking at Jesus as he walked by, he said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God.'
  13. ↩Matt.11.9-Matt.11.11 — But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. Matt.11.10 — This is the one about whom it is written: "See, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you." Matt.11.11 — Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
  14. ↩John.1.29 — The next day he sees Jesus coming toward him and says, "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
  15. ↩Mal.3.1 — And See, I am sending my messenger, and he will clear the way before me. Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to his temple, and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight will come, says the LORD of Armies.
  16. ↩John.1.23;Isa.40.3 — He said, "I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord, just as Isaiah the prophet said." Isa.40.3 — A voice calls: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God."
  17. ↩Matt.11.14 — And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come." Adding "the" clarifies the prophetic role without changing meaning.
  18. ↩John.5.35 — He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a time in his light.
  19. ↩Matt.11.13 — For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
  20. ↩John.3.29 — The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine is now complete.
  21. ↩John.3.29 — The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine is now complete.

Notes

  1. 1 ↩The Latin is a citation marker attributing the preceding material to Bernard of Clairvaux.
  2. 2 ↩Clirysologus is a corrupted spelling of Chrysologus; vitee = vitae; sancUtatis = sanctitatis; justiUae = justitiae. Normalized forms used for translation.
  3. 3 ↩The phrase 'si fas sit dicere, etiam contra Deum' introduces a rhetorical hedge: the speaker hesitates at the thought of murmuring against God, acknowledging it may not be right. The translation preserves this tension.
  4. 4 ↩horaicida is a corrupted or uncertain form, likely intended as homicida ('murderer'). Translated as 'murderer' based on context.
  5. 5 ↩spiculator is a rare word meaning 'executioner' (from spiculum, a blade or dart). The sense is a headsman.
  6. 6 ↩etgraUas is a corrupted token, likely et + gratias ('and giving thanks'). aUquo = aequo ('level'); paUenter = patienter ('patiently'); totaUter = totaliter ('entirely'). Normalized forms used.
  7. 7 ↩inUmus is a corrupted spelling, likely intended as intimus ('closest, most intimate'). Translated accordingly.
  8. 8 ↩secretarius here means 'confidant' or 'trusted intimate' rather than the modern sense of 'secretary.'
  9. 9 ↩paUentiam = patientiam ('patience'); quibuscumqueadversitatibus is a merged/corrupted token = [REDACTED] adversitatibus ('with whatever adversities'); noii = non ('not'). Normalized forms used.

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