Herod's sin was ever before him. He was constantly seeking to find relief from the accusings of a guilty conscience. His confidence in John was unshaken. As he recalled his life of self-denial, his solemn, earnest appeals, his sound judgment in counsel, and then remembered how he had come to his death, Herod could find no rest. Engaged in the affairs of the state, receiving honors from men, he bore a smiling face and dignified mien, while he concealed an anxious heart, ever oppressed with the fear that a curse was upon him.

Altid stod Herodes' synd for ham. Han søgte bestandig at skaffe sig befrielse for sin onde samvittigheds anklager. Hans tillid til Johannes var usvækket. Når han erindrede hans liv i selvfornægtelse, hans alvorlige og indtrængende tale, hans sunde bedømmelse og derpå huskede, hvordan han var kommen af dage, kunne Herodes ikke finde hvile. Når han var optaget af statens anliggender og modtog menneskers hyldest, viste han et smilende ansigt og et værdigt udseende, medens han skjulte et ængstet hjerte, der altid var knuget af frygten for, at der hvilede en forbandelse over ham.