Herod had been deeply impressed by the words of John, that nothing can be hidden from God. He was convinced that God was present in every place, that He had witnessed the revelry of the banqueting room, that He had heard the command to behead John, and had seen the exultation of Herodias, and the insult she offered to the severed head of her reprover. And many things that Herod had heard from the lips of the prophet now spoke to his conscience more distinctly than had the preaching in the wilderness.

Herodes havde været dybt betaget af de ord, Johannes havde sagt: at intet kan være skjult for Gud. Han var overbevist om, at Gud var til stede alle vegne, at han havde været vidne til det larmende gilde i festsalen, at han havde hørt befalingen om at lade Johannes halshugge og havde set Herodias' henrykkelse og den skændsel, hun udsatte sin fjendes afhuggede hoved for. Og meget af det, som Herodes havde hørt fra profetens mund, talte nu mere tydeligt til hans samvittighed, end dengang Johannes prædikede i ørkenen.