Herodias Series

Herodias

Herodias was a princess of the Herodian dynasty of Judaea during the Roman Empire. Christian writings connect her with John the Baptist's execution.

Born: 15 B.C.

Died: 39 AD, Lyon, France

Spouse: Herod Antipas (m. ?–39 AD), Herod II

Children: Salome, Salomé II

Parents: Aristobulus IV, Berenice

Siblings: Herod Agrippa

Grandchild: Aristobulus IV

Herodias in the Bible is notorious for being the woman who desired John the Baptist's head on a platter. She was the unlawful wife of the tetrarch Herod Antipas and had formerly been Herod's brother, Philip. As the granddaughter of Herod the Great, Herodias was herself a niece to both of her husbands, Philip and Antipas.

Herodias is the feminine form of Herod, which functions somewhat as a title for members of the Herodian dynasty. Historians indicate that Herod Antipas and Herodias had an affair while her husband Philip visited Rome. Herodias then agreed to leave her husband to become Herod Antipas's wife. Whether it was motivated by lust or was simply a power play, the new marriage was not honorable, and John the Baptist publicly denounced their adultery (Matthew 14:4). Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted him to be executed (Mark 6:19). Herod put John in prison for Herodias's sake (Matthew 14:3) but did not put him to death in part because he was afraid of the people, who believed John was a prophet (Matthew 14:5). Herod also seemed to believe that John was a righteous man and, though "greatly puzzled" by the things John said, "liked to listen to him" (Mark 6:20).

"Finally the opportune time came" (Mark 6:21) for Herodias to exact her revenge on John. During Herod's birthday celebration, Herodias's daughter danced for the king and his guests, pleasing Herod so much that he promised the girl whatever she asked (Matthew 14:6–7). After consulting with her mother, the girl asked for John the Baptist's head on a platter (Matthew 14:8). The prophet's head was brought to the daughter of Herodias, who gave it to her mother (verse 11). Herod was sorry and distressed over being put in this quandary, but Herod had John beheaded in prison because of his vow and the guests (verse 10).

The Bible does not tell us much about Herodias, but her actions recorded in the Gospels show an immoral, bitter, and manipulative woman. John the Baptist was right to warn the tetrarch and his wife of their wicked ways, and Herodias had plenty of opportunities to repent. Rather than choose the life path, Herodias hardened her heart and plotted John's execution—as if silencing the truth-teller could remove her guilt. In this way, Herodias became like Jezebel, who stridently opposed Elijah, in whose power and spirit John had come (see Luke 1:17; 1 Kings 19:2).

HERODIAS

The Woman Responsible for the Murder of a Preacher

Scripture References—Matthew 14:3-12; Mark 6:14-24; Luke 3:19, 20

Name Meaning—As a member of the Herodian dynasty, perhaps the most despicable dynasty history has known, the name Herodias is but the female form of Herod, the royal name for the political rulers during the time of Christ, the apostles. It was under the vile and cruel orders of the Herods that Jesus and His followers were often persecuted and punished. Herod means "heroic"—not very applicable to the Herodian family, most of whom, particularly Herodias, were more hellish than heroic.

Family Connections—Herodias was the daughter of Aristobulus, son of Herod the Great, and Mariamne, daughter of Hyrcanus. Her first husband was Philip I, son of Herod the Great and Mariamne, so she married her uncle, by whom she had a daughter, Salome, whom her mother used to destroy John the Baptist. When Herod Antipas visited Rome, he was entertained by Philip and Herodias. Herod abducted his royal brother's wife. His wife, an Arabian princess, was an obstacle to an illicit marriage, so he divorced her, and Herodias became queen in her stead, with her daughter was installed in the palace. "The corroding immorality of Herod's race shows itself in his marriage with Herodias, his brother's wife, and the wanton offense is thereby given to Jewish sensibilities."

Among the female characters in God's portrait gallery, there are many wicked women as we are discovering. However, undoubtedly Herodias stands out among them as one of the vilest and most vicious. Amid the putrefying influence of the palace, however, there was one man who knew no fear, John the Baptist. Herod "feared" him and regarded him as "a just man" and whom "he heard gladly." Herod found music in the preacher's message until he sternly rebuked the king by saying of Herodias, "It is not lawful for thee to have her." However, such a warning bell was to toll the Baptist's doom. For his faithful rebuke of Herod's sin, John was cast into prison, and the evil, scheming mind of Herodias began to work. She was stung by the arrow from the preacher's quiver and hated him for exposing her shame. "For Herodias' sake," he was imprisoned, and thus the greatest of the prophets was sacrificed for this lewd and vicious woman. However, the hatred of such a vile creature was more desired than her affection (Matthew 10:23; Luke 6:26). Herodias, with her conscience in turmoil because of her accuser, planned to silence him. She did not want Herod to listen too closely and constantly to John's forceful preaching. She feared her illegal husband—for her first husband was still alive—might repent and imperil her position as queen.