The precursor is silenced. The shadow of death falls over the ministry.
Herod Antipas had arrested John and bound him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because John had told him: "It is not lawful for you to have her." Herod wanted to put him to death but feared the people, who held John to be a prophet.
The Banquet — Matthew 14:6-12 / Mark 6:21-29
But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter." And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.
- Matthew 14:6-11
The disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.
- Matthew 14:12
When Yeshua heard of John's death, he withdrew by boat to a desolate place. The crowds followed him on foot — and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. This withdrawal leads directly to the Feeding of the Five Thousand.
The death of the Baptist is the first blood shed in the story. The forerunner is killed by the powers of the world. What they did to the precursor, they will do to the one who follows.