Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Jesus seemed to content Himself with gathering disciples about Him, and healing and teaching the people. He was eating at the tables of the publicans, while every day the Roman yoke rested more heavily upon Israel, while King Herod and his vile paramour worked their will, and the cries of the poor and suffering went up to heaven. To the desert prophet all this seemed a mystery beyond his fathoming.
There were hours when the whisperings of demons tortured his spirit, and the shadow of a terrible fear crept over him. Could it be that the long-hoped-for Deliverer had not yet appeared? For the success of this mission his whole life had been sacrificed. Had it been in vain? Had he been unfaithful in his mission, that he was now cut off from labor? If the promised Deliverer had appeared, and John had been found true to his calling, would not Jesus now overthrow the oppressor's power, and set free His herald?
That was the line of reasoning being followed back then. The following therefore are apparently valid reasons why John should be delivered, because, as we read earlier, all of John’s ducks were in a row, and he fulfilled his God-given mission to the letter. [1] John was faithful in his mission, never turning to the right hand, or the left. [2] John was Jesus’ cousin, so they were family. [3] John didn’t curry favor with persons in high places for he rebuked sin in peasants and in kings alike. [4] There is also what might seem as the Scriptural mandate for Jesus to at least visit John in the prison.
Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!