This was the question that made King Herod feel distressed about, when he heard about Jesus. In Mark chapter 6 there is this account of Herod. Who knew about John the baptist (as righteous and holy), as said in the verse 20 - knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.
Mark 6:14-29New International Version (NIV)
John the Baptist Beheaded
14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying,[a] “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
15 Others said, “He is Elijah.”
And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”
16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”
17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled[b]; yet he liked to listen to him.
21 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of[c] Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.
The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”
“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.
25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. 29 On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Some of the most important aspects of King Herod is the same with many of the sinful nature of a man.
Willpower over God's will:
The aspect of his promise and his compromise on it is very evident that though knowing the truth he was led by his own willpower.
Jesus said in the parable of the two sons, that whoever does the will of the Father is greater than the one who does not do. Jesus finishes by saying what John did for the kingdom of God: v 38 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did.
Matthew 21:28-32New International Version (NIV)
The Parable of the Two Sons
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Jesus also reminds that who will be his brother and sister and mother:
Matthew 12:50 niv
For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Knowing the truth and doing according to the deceit:
When King Herod knew what his daughter had asked, he could have rebuked her and did what was right, but he could't because he thought breaking the promise compromises with the situation.
James 4:17 NIV
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.
Herod attitude towards life and sin is very evident that all his actions corresponds with his intentions:
First his act was corrupt: Marrying his brother's wife:
He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him.
The Second act of misjudgment:
He taught that arresting John could solve his problems.
For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison.
The Third act of falling off from the deceitfulness and seduction of his daughter:
21 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of[c] Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.
The Fourth act of Murder:
He finally broke the commandment:
Exodus 20:13 NIV
"You shall not murder.
The chain of sin sometimes leads to a very destructive and negative way, as like the way this king has been led by his own willpower - he first tried to do something that is out of the will of God, Second he tried to control it, then he did things to overcome it, but ultimately he failed miserably. That is why Sin at the root level has to be destroyed.
Ecclesiastes 8:11 NIV
When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people's hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong.
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