What happen to John the baptist?

Answer 1

The gospel account and the historical account, as told by Josephus, agree that John the Baptist was arrested because he publicly criticised Herod Antipas' marriage to his own brother's former wife. However, they disagree on the time and place, as well as the ultimate reason for John's death.

The Jewish historian Josephus said that Herod Antipas had the Baptist arrested and killed in the castle of Macherus, east of the Dead Sea, because he disapproved of Antipas' marriage to his own brother's wife, who divorced her husband in order to marry Herod Antipas. The wedding took place in 34 CE and the execution of John would have been in 35 or 36 CE. The relevant text from Book 18 of Antiquities of theJews: "Now many people came in crowds to him, for they were greatly moved by his words. Herod, who feared that the great influence John had over the masses might put them into his power and enable him to raise a rebellion (for they seemed ready to do anything he should advise), thought it best to put him to death. In this way, he might prevent any mischief John might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it would be too late. Accordingly John was sent as a prisoner, out of Herod's suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I already mentioned, and was put to death."
King Aretas of the Nabateans attacked Herod Antipas in 36 CE because of the insult to his daughter whom Antipas had divorced in order to marry his brother's wife, leading the Jews to believe that this was God's way of punishing Antipas for the death of John the Baptist. The death of John would have been shortly before the attack took place.

Answer 2

The gospel account and the historical account, as told by Josephus, agree that John the Baptist was arrested because he publicly criticised Herod Antipas' marriage to his own brother's former wife. However, they disagree on the time and place, as well as the ultimate reason for John's death.

The Jewish historian Josephus said that Herod Antipas had the Baptist arrested and killed in the castle of Macherus, east of the Dead Sea, because he disapproved of Antipas' marriage to his own brother's wife, who divorced her husband in order to marry Herod Antipas. The wedding took place in 34 CE and the execution of John would have been in 35 or 36 CE. The relevant text from Book 18 of Antiquities of theJews: "Now many people came in crowds to him, for they were greatly moved by his words. Herod, who feared that the great influence John had over the masses might put them into his power and enable him to raise a rebellion (for they seemed ready to do anything he should advise), thought it best to put him to death. In this way, he might prevent any mischief John might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it would be too late. Accordingly John was sent as a prisoner, out of Herod's suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I already mentioned, and was put to death."
King Aretas of the Nabateans attacked Herod Antipas in 36 CE because of the insult to his daughter whom Antipas had divorced in order to marry his brother's wife, leading the Jews to believe that this was God's way of punishing Antipas for the death of John the Baptist. The death of John would have been shortly before the attack took place.

Answer 3

Another answer from our community:

John the Baptist criticized the king, Herod, and was beheaded upon the request of Salome.