NOTES for Mat 14:1-12
Herod's reaction to John's rebukes is banal. He so does not want some preacher spoiling his mood and sticking his nose into his personal life. It would be good if he did not exist at all.
And yet even Herod, who allowed himself much and paid little regard to anyone, did not dare kill John, because he feared the people. This is not surprising, since many of those who try to appear "tough" and show off their ruthlessness are in fact inwardly weak, saturated with hidden fears and complexes. Inner instability, the desire to show off before the guests, and at the same time dependence on the "public opinion" of those gathered at the feast forced Herod first to make a rash oath and then to agree to murder. Having rejected the preaching of John the Baptist, Herod rejected the possibility of repenting of his sins, and then multiplied them. And now he would have to spend the rest of his life in fear.
Fear is Herod's first reaction when he receives the news of Christ's preaching. Thinking that John has risen, Herod is mistaken, but there is a grain of truth in his mistaken fears. For the One whom he took for the risen John truly does bring Resurrection. Even saturated with evil, Herod sensed the invincibility of good.