At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, "This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him." …
The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus. (Mt 14:1-12)
Herod lived in fear. He was afraid of anyone who spoke the truth and anyone who was on the side of God. Because, he had beheaded John the Baptist. John the Baptist had spoken the truth about his life. Herod did not want the truth to be spoken so he silenced the speaker. But anyone and everyone who spoke the truth becomes the person whom he feared.
He was distressed because he had taken an oath to please the girl who danced in front of the guests. So he feared them as well. If he did not keep his promise then he would lose his image and name. So he feared them as well.
He feared himself because of what he had done. A man totally lived in fear because of his mistake in trying to keep the truth away from him. He feared his own people (guests and his family people) he feared the persons who spoke the truth and he feared himself because the truth was not with/in him. IT IS TRUTH THAT MAKES ONE FREE.
