What is the name of the king that had John the Baptist arrested?

Answer 1

A:

John the baptist was executed on the orders of Herod Antipas, who was only a tetrarch in the Roman Empire, not a king. The gospels say that John had been arrested for publicly criticising the marriage of Herod Antipas to his own brother's former wife, but that Herod did not wish to harm John. The daughter of Herodias danced for Herod Antipas at a party in Galilee, after which he offered her anything she wished. Prompted by her mother, Herodias, she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. This could hardly be more different to the account told by the first-century historian, Josephus.

Josephus tells us that Herod Antipas had John arrested and taken to faraway Macherus and executed, for fear that he would raise a rebellion among the Jews. Although John's criticism of the marriage was a factor, Herod was chiefly concerned about the possibility of John sparking an uprising. For this reason, he had John executed as quickly as possible. We are not told whether John the Baptist was actually beheaded, or executed in some other way. 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."

Answer 2

King Herod Antipas. But despite common thinking, it was his wife, "Herodias" who despised John. But the King respected John as a person and holy man, and would not harm him. Herodias used her daughter, Salome, to dance seductively for John, which raised in him an unnatural lust for Salome. Herodias told the King that John had sinned, and was not worth saving. Herod agreed, and had John executed.

Answer 3

AnswerHerod Antipas had John the Baptist arrested and executed because of his public condemnation of Antipas' marriage in 34 CE to Herodias, who had been his brother's wife.

Answer 4

King Herod Antipas, the son of the King Herod who massacred all the infants born around the same time Jesus was born.