Today is the memorial of the beheading of St. John the Baptist. King Herod ordered the beheading of John in response to the request of the daughter of Herodias, the wife of his brother Phillip whom Herod married, after delighting him with the daughter's entertainment, and after considering what Herod's officers will say if he did not fulfill his promise. John was beheaded, but I believe it was Herod who lost a head.
The word head is used to designate a leader, the one who provides direction, who leads in doing what is right and true. Although John was beheaded, he did not lose his head - he did not loose his leadership. In fact, by his martyrdom, John provided a clear direction for his followers to take; he unequivocally proclaimed what is right and true, that is, standing firm for the truth. Although John was beheaded, he did not lose his head. Herod did.
Herod liked John; he loved listening to him. But John's words brought discomfort to him, and so he kept John in prison. But this fondness of John was easily compromised to uphold his stature and to safeguard his image in the eyes of his officers. It was not a love in conviction. When asked for the head of the Baptizer, Herod easily gave in. He was not a true leader. He did not provide the direction towards what is right and true. His great concern for his reputation took over. Although, it was Herod who ordered the beheading of John, it was him who lost his head - he lost the true sense of leadership.
Between John and Herod, it was John who was beheaded. But it was Herod who lost his "head".
