Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 14:12

"And his disciples came, and took up the corpse, and buried him; and they went and told Jesus." — Matthew 14:12 (ASV)

The good man’s followers did not desert their murdered leader, his disciples came. The mangled corpse was surrendered to them. They reverently took up the body and buried it. They were his disciples still, and his death was not the death of their faith. They did the only act of kindness then in their power to him whom they had followed. They regarded the headless trunk as being the last relic of John, and so they gathered about it and gave it honorable burial. But it is not said by the evangelist that they buried John, but they took up his body, and buried it, not him. The real John no man could bury, and Herod soon found that, being dead, he yet spoke.

What remained for John’s disciples but to go to their leader’s Friend and Master and tell him all the circumstances, and wait for further orders? John had taught them well, since they went at once to Jesus when their teacher was dead.

When we are in great trouble, we shall be wise to do our best and at the same time tell the Lord Jesus all about it so that He may direct us further as to what we are to do. What a relief to tell Jesus! It was a painful story for Him to hear, but He would be sure to impart consolation to these mourners, and in our case also He will send comfort.