What does Matthew 14:11 mean?

This is a gruesome picture to imagine, one imagined and captured by artists throughout history, including Caravaggio and other painters. John the Baptist has been ordered beheaded during the celebration of Herod's birthday. The wicked king has done this to keep a promise to his stepdaughter, rather than to risk being dishonored before his guests. His wife Herodias trapped her husband by prompting her daughter to make the request (Matthew 14:6–10).

The order is carried out and John's head is placed on a serving platter. It is brought to the party and presented to the girl. She takes the platter and hands it over to her mother, Herodias. Herodias has achieved her revenge against the prophet of God who called out her sin of marrying her husband's brother (Matthew 14:3–4; Mark 6:17–19). Some historians suggest Herodias further abused John's head after his death in full view of the partygoers, though that claim is not substantiated. Given her venom for John, that would not be out of character. Whatever else happened, Herodias' reputation as a cruel and manipulative woman was set.

The death of John the Baptist is a blow that will land hard with his disciples.