'A reed shaken by the wind...'

Matthew reports Jesus
comparing “this generation” with children in the market place complaining,

“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not mourn

At first sight, this is a simple story about “flute playing
children and the arrogance of not dancing”.

In Matthew, messengers have arrived from an imprisoned John the Baptist asking if Jesus is “the one who is to come.” Jesus’ response is to enquire what did they expect, “a reed shaken by the wind? Someone dressed in soft robes?” The reed was a Herodian symbol; the text a clear reference to Herod
Antipas, then the ruler (Tetrarch) of Galilee and Perea.
 
Mark places a dance within Herod’s palace, when his step daughter danced at his birthday bash. In the Greek text, the daughter is called korasion, a term usually used for a young girl not yet a woman, or a little girl. The girl remained unnamed until the 1st century historian Josephus recorded her name as Salome, a name that evokes a sense of sensuality. Unfortunately this name has stuck, even in academic
literature.

The context of both accounts is the beheading of John the
Baptist. This is, as Jean Psichari eloquently states, “the fatal turning point in salvation history – the death of the prophet and the completion of the Old
Covenant.”

Mark’s account ends in tragic sadness. Herod actually enjoyed listening to John, and was
mortified when he was trapped into beheading him. And an
innocent girl becomes a vehicle for her mother’s evil desire. Is there a touch of misogyny here? Stepmothers carry a heavy
burden.

Matthew’s account ends in grace.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Doug Bannerman