Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

As recounted in Matthew 14, Herod Antipas (the tetrarch of Galilee) put John the Baptist in prison for saying that the marriage of Herod and Herod's wife Herodias was not lawful. (Herodias had previously been the wife of Herod's half-brother, Philip, but had divorced him to marry Herod Antipas.)

Herodias wanted John the Baptist to be put to death for John's criticism of her marriage to Herod, but Herod was reluctant to do so because he perceived John to be a righteous man, and he enjoyed hearing John preach (although it apparently had no effect on Herod's sinful lifestyle).

However, when Herodias' daughter Salome danced for Herod and his guests at a banquet, Herod was so pleased that he foolishly vowed to give Salome anything that she would ask for, up to half of his kingdom. At the prompting of her mother Herodias, Salome asked to be given John the Baptst's head on a platter. This made Herod upset, but he still felt obligated to keep his vow to Salome, and therefore ordered John the Baptist to be beheaded in prison.

May 31 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Why was John put in prison in Mark 1:14?

The answer to this query is recorded in Matthew 14:3. Herod had arrested John, bound him, and imprisoned him because of Herodias, the wife of his brother, Philip. 4 For John had been saying to him: "It is not lawful for you to have her." 5 However, although he wanted to kill him, he feared the crowd, because they took him for a prophet.

The historian Josephus states that John was imprisoned and killed at the Machaerus fortress, situated on the eastern side of the Dead Sea. (Jewish Antiquities, Book 18, chap. 5, par. 2 [Loeb 18.119]) It is possible that John spent some time in that prison. (Mt 4:12) However, it is likely that at the time of his death, John was held in prison in Tiberias, a city located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. The reasons for this conclusion are as follows: (1) John seems to have been imprisoned near where Jesus was carrying out his ministry in Galilee. John heard of Jesus' works, and from jail he sent his disciples to speak with Jesus. (Mt 11:1-3) (2) Mark states that "the most prominent men of Galilee" were in attendance at Herod's birthday party, indicating that it was held at Herod's residence in Tiberias. John was evidently in captivity near the location of the party.​—Mr 6:21-29; Mt 14:6-11

It appears Herod Antipas became infatuated with Herodias, the wife of his half-brother Herod Philip. Herodias divorced Philip, and Antipas divorced his wife. Herodias and Antipas then married. John the Baptist was arrested for criticising this immoral union, one that was contrary to Jewish law.

John the Baptizer had reason to condemn this marriage of Herodias and Herod Antipas, it being both illegal and immoral under Jewish law, and for doing so, he was thrown into prison and later beheaded. His fearless and righteous condemnation aroused the bitter hatred of Herodias, so she seized the first opportunity to have the prophet put to death.​—Mt 14:1-11; Mr 6:16-28; Lu 3:19, 20; 9:9.

Antipas put John into prison, desiring to kill him, but was afraid of the people, who believed John was a prophet. Nevertheless, at a celebration of Antipas' birthday, Herodias' daughter so pleased him that he made an oath to give her whatever she asked. Herodias instructed her daughter to ask for John the Baptist's head. Though it was not pleasing to Herod, he cravenly gave in to save face before those attending the celebration and because of his oath.

For John the Baptist, his fearless and righteous condemnation aroused the bitter hatred of Herodias, so she seized the first opportunity to have the prophet put to death.​—Mt 14:1-11; Mr 6:16-28; Lu 3:19, 20; 9:9.

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