Why did herod the head of John the Baptist?

Answer 1

A:John the Baptist held high ethical values and was a man of great courage, willing to risk his life by publicly criticising the marriage of Herod Antipas to his own brother's former wife. For these qualities, he was much admired by the Jews. The Jewish historian, Joephus tells us that when King Aretas attacked and defeated Antipas in 36 CE, the Jews saw this as divine retribution for his execution of John the previous year.

Answer 2

A:The Jewish historian Josephus said that Herod Antipas had John the Baptist killed 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 the Jews: "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. This also means that the death of John was not long before the attack.

Answer 3

A:

In the gospel account, John the Baptist was imprisoned in Galilee because of his public criticism of Herod Antipas' marriage to Herodias, who had previously been married to Herod's own brother. However, Herod had no intention of killing John, whereas Herodias sought revenge against him. When her daughter danced for Herod, he promised her anything she wished, and Herodias took this opportunity to tell her daughter to ask for John's head on a platter. Herod was anguished at killing John but felt obliged to keep his promise. The synoptic gospels place this execution near the beginning of Jesus' ministry and therefore around 29-30 CE.

We ought also to consider how much of this story is historical truth and how much is fanciful. The first-century Jewish historian also mentions the death of John, but in faraway Macherus in 35 or 36 CE and on the direct orders of Herod, who feared that John might cause an insurrection (Book 18 of Antiquities of the Jews):

"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."

Answer 4

Herods step daughter pleased him with her dance, and he promised her anything, she cunningly asked for the head of John the Baptist on a plate.