Mark 6:14-29, March 5
3/5/2026 Mark 6:14–29 — John the Baptist Beheaded
The ancient Greeks used the word parrhesia to describe free and fearless speech—both the right and the obligation to speak the truth. It is the root idea behind what we now call “speaking truth to power,” a phrase later taken up by civil rights leaders.
This is exactly what John the Baptist was doing. He boldly reminded Herod that it was wrong to take his brother’s wife. John’s faithfulness to the truth landed him in prison and ultimately cost him his life.
Speaking out against corruption and injustice is never easy, especially when those in power have the ability and the will to disrupt our lives. Most of us are not afraid of losing our heads, but we are afraid of losing income, friendships, jobs, reputations, or positions of influence.
Yet the good news is that we are not without power. Like John, we are children of an all-powerful God. The same God who sustained John also sustains us. We can pray for the courage to live with parrhesia—to speak truth faithfully, trust God with the consequences, and remain obedient no matter the cost.
Kelvin Gryder
The ancient Greeks used the word parrhesia to describe free and fearless speech—both the right and the obligation to speak the truth. It is the root idea behind what we now call “speaking truth to power,” a phrase later taken up by civil rights leaders.
This is exactly what John the Baptist was doing. He boldly reminded Herod that it was wrong to take his brother’s wife. John’s faithfulness to the truth landed him in prison and ultimately cost him his life.
Speaking out against corruption and injustice is never easy, especially when those in power have the ability and the will to disrupt our lives. Most of us are not afraid of losing our heads, but we are afraid of losing income, friendships, jobs, reputations, or positions of influence.
Yet the good news is that we are not without power. Like John, we are children of an all-powerful God. The same God who sustained John also sustains us. We can pray for the courage to live with parrhesia—to speak truth faithfully, trust God with the consequences, and remain obedient no matter the cost.
Kelvin Gryder
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