The childhood, youth, and manhood of John had been characterized by firmness and moral power. When his voice was heard in the wilderness saying, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight" (Matt. 3:3), Satan feared for the safety of his kingdom. The sinfulness of sin was revealed in such a manner that men trembled. Satan's power over many who had been under his control was broken. He had been unwearied in his efforts to draw away the Baptist from a life of unreserved surrender to God; but he had failed. And he had failed to overcome Jesus. In the temptation in the wilderness, Satan had been defeated, and his rage was great. Now he determined to bring sorrow upon Christ by striking John. The One whom he could not entice to sin he would cause to suffer.

Johannes' barndom, ungdom og manddomstid havde været kendetegnet ved fasthed og moralsk styrke. Da man hørte hans røst i ørkenen sige: "Ban Herrens vej, gør hans stier jævne" (Matt. 3,3), havde Satan frygtet for sit riges sikkerhed. Syndens syndighed åbenbaredes på en sådan måde, at mennesker bævede. Satans magt blev brudt over mange af dem, der havde været under hans herredømme. Han havde været utrættelig i sine bestræbelser for at drage Døberen bort fra et liv i uforbeholden overgivelse til Gud, men det var ikke lykkedes ham. Og det var heller ikke lykkedes for ham at besejre Jesus. Under fristelsen i ørkenen havde Satan lidt nederlag, og hans raseri voksede. Nu besluttede han at gøre Kristus sorg ved at ramme Johannes. Den, som han ikke kunne forlede til at synde, ville han volde smerte.