Herod the Tetrarch (Luke 3:19–20; Matthew 14:1–12; Mark 6:14–29; Luke 9:7–9; Luke 13:31–33; Luke 23:6–12; Acts 4:24–28)

Who Shut Up John and Beheaded Him

Herod, tetrarch of Galilee, who shut John the Baptist up in prison after John reproved him over Herodias, beheaded him because of his oaths, and later questioned Jesus and, with his soldiers, set him at nought.

Luke 3:1 has “Herod being tetrarch of Galilee” (Luke 3:1). He is “Herod the tetrarch” (Luke 3:19), as also in Luke 9:7 and Matthew 14:1. Mark 6:14 calls him “king Herod” (Mark 6:14), but he is not the Herod of Matthew 2, “Herod the king” (Matthew 2:1), nor the Herod of Acts 12:1, who is a different Herod.

John the Baptist reproved him “for Herodias his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done” (Luke 3:19), and Herod “added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison” (Luke 3:19–20). In the Gospel of Matthew, “when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet” (Matthew 14:5). Mark 6:20 says that “Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was much perplexed; and he heard him gladly” (Mark 6:20). Yet on his birthday, because of his oaths and those who sat at meat with him (Mark 6:26), “the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring his head” (Mark 6:27).

Later “Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done: and he was much perplexed” (Luke 9:7), and he “sought to see him” (Luke 9:9). When Pilate sent Jesus to him, Herod “was exceeding glad” (Luke 23:8), questioned him, and received no answer; then “Herod with his soldiers set him at nought, and mocked him” (Luke 23:11). Acts 4:24–28 names “both Herod and Pontius Pilate” (Acts 4:27) among those gathered against Jesus.

Strengths

• Heard John gladly

Weaknesses

• Fear of the multitude
• Bound by his oaths
• Mocking Jesus

Themes

• Reproof and prison
• Oaths and the death of John
• Curiosity about Jesus
• Herod and Pilate

John reproves Herod and is shut up in prison (Luke 3:19–20; Matthew 14:3–5; Mark 6:17–20)

John says it is not lawful for Herod to have his brother's wife; Herod lays hold on John, binds him, and puts him in prison.

The death of John the Baptist (Mark 6:21–29; Matthew 14:6–12)

At his birthday supper Herod promises with an oath to give Herodias' daughter whatever she asks; she asks for John's head, and he commands it to be given.

The death of John the Baptist

“And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee; and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and them that sat at meat with him; and the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee” (Mark 6:21–22).

She asked for the head of John the Baptizer (Mark 6:24–25). “And the king was exceeding sorry; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat, he would not reject her” (Mark 6:26). John was beheaded in the prison (Mark 6:27–28), and “when his disciples heard thereof, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb” (Mark 6:29).

Herod hears of Jesus (Luke 9:7–9; Matthew 14:1–2; Mark 6:14–16)

Hearing of the powers at work, Herod says John is risen; he is much perplexed, and seeks to see Jesus.

Herod would fain kill him (Luke 13:31–33)

Certain Pharisees tell Jesus to go away, for Herod would fain kill him; Jesus calls him that fox and says he must go on his way.

Jesus is sent to Herod (Luke 23:6–12)

Pilate learns that Jesus is of Herod's jurisdiction and sends him to Herod, who questions him; Herod and his soldiers mock him and send him back.

Jesus is sent to Herod

“And when he knew that he was of Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him unto Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem in these days” (Luke 23:7).

“Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was of a long time desirous to see him, because he had heard concerning him; and he hoped to see some miracle done by him. And he questioned him in many words; but he answered him nothing” (Luke 23:8–9).

“And Herod with his soldiers set him at nought, and mocked him, and arraying him in gorgeous apparel sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day: for before they were at enmity between themselves” (Luke 23:11–12).

John the Baptist (Luke 3:19–20; Mark 6:17–29)

Reproved by John, Herod shut him up, heard him gladly, and beheaded him.

Herodias (Mark 6:17–19; Matthew 14:3)

His brother Philip's wife, whom he had married; she set herself against John and desired to kill him.

Jesus (Luke 9:9; Luke 23:8–11)

Sought to see him, questioned him, and with his soldiers set him at nought and mocked him.

Pilate (Luke 23:6–12; Acts 4:27)

Pilate sent Jesus to him; the two became friends that day, having been at enmity before.

Major sections

• Matthew 14:1–12
• Mark 6:14–29
• Luke 9:7–9
• Luke 13:31–33
• Luke 23:6–12

More illuminations · Harbinger's Lamp