The messengers went back and reported what they said to the village council. When they heard that they were citizens of the People of Iron (Romans), they were afraid.
Right away the soldiers who were about to question him backed away. Fear came upon the head officer as he realized that he had bound a citizen of Village of Iron (Rome) in chains.
Looks Brave (Herod) would have put Gift of Goodwill (John) to death right then, but he was afraid of what the people would do, for they honored him as a prophet.