The Punishment of John the Baptist
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These passages from the Gospels of Mark and Luke refer to the punishment of John the Baptist by Herod Antipas (called “King Herod” in the Gospel of Mark, though he was never king). In Luke, Herod merely alludes to having killed John. In Mark’s account (repeated in Matthew 14:1–12), Herod has had John imprisoned because of John’s objections to Herod’s marriage to his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias, who now also seeks to have John killed. (According to Jewish law it was unlawful for a woman to marry her husband’s brother unless the first husband had died childless.) Herod does not kill John at this point, because he considers him “a righteous and holy man” (Mark 6:20). On Herod’s birthday, his niece (Herodias’ daughter) so pleases him that Herod offers her anything she wants. At her mother’s request, she asks for John the Baptist’s head on a platter, and Herod obliges. For a different account of John’s imprisonment and execution, see Josephus on Herod’s Assassination of John.
Mark 6:14–29
14King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” 15But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. 18For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 21But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22When his daughter Herodias came in and danced [better: the daughter of Herodias (Salome) herself came in and danced], she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” 23And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” 24She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” 25Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
Luke 3:18–20
18So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. 19But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, 20added to them all by shutting up John in prison.
Credits
New Revised Standard Version Bible copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.
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Josephus on Herod’s Assassination of John the Baptist
Jewish Antiquities 18.116–119
John’s Birth and Naming
Luke 1:5–25, 57–66
John Questions Jesus’ Identity
Matthew 11:2–6|Luke 7:18–23
These passages from the Gospels of Mark and Luke refer to the punishment of John the Baptist by Herod Antipas (called “King Herod” in the Gospel of Mark, though he was never king). In Luke, Herod merely alludes to having killed John. In Mark’s account (repeated in Matthew 14:1–12), Herod has had John imprisoned because of John’s objections to Herod’s marriage to his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias, who now also seeks to have John killed. (According to Jewish law it was unlawful for a woman to marry her husband’s brother unless the first husband had died childless.) Herod does not kill John at this point, because he considers him “a righteous and holy man” (Mark 6:20). On Herod’s birthday, his niece (Herodias’ daughter) so pleases him that Herod offers her anything she wants. At her mother’s request, she asks for John the Baptist’s head on a platter, and Herod obliges. For a different account of John’s imprisonment and execution, see Josephus on Herod’s Assassination of John.
Related Guide
Ancient Jewish Communal Identities: Early Christians
Related Guide
The Gospels as Jewish Literature
You may also like
Josephus on Herod’s Assassination of John the Baptist
Jewish Antiquities 18.116–119
John’s Birth and Naming
Luke 1:5–25, 57–66
John Questions Jesus’ Identity
Matthew 11:2–6|Luke 7:18–23