So a few more thoughts on Herod:

He views John as a curiosity but never allows his message to infiltrate or transform him.

He does not really have the authority to murder John. John should have had the same rights to a Roman trial as Jesus did (not that that ended well either).

He could have just manned up and said no, a man’s life is worth more than a lust-drunk promise.

Hubris. Herod is all hubris. And he remains a buffoon and a bully until his miserable end is recorded.

He knows the truth now. Too late.