Herod greatest fear was that the returne of John would have undermined his position as King and the people preception of him being God as they heard of teh coming of Jesus. His other fear was that he would have being reminded publically of the guilt of adultery, fornicationand embarassment for marrying brother's wife. Had John returned, Herod could not live with the though of what he did knowing that he would preperred not to grant his daughter that wish.