Mark tells us Herod Antipas had married his brother, Philip’s, wife, Herodias (Mark 6:17). This was not the same Herod Philip who ruled Gaulanitis, or the west side of the Sea of Galilee, along with Trachonitis and the Batanean nation. Rather, the Philip who was married to Herodias was the same Philip that Archelaus had left in charge of the government, while he went to Rome to be established in his kingdom by Augustus Caesar.[1] Archelaus’ other brother Philip also had to appear before Caesar to be established in his kingdom. The problem stems from the fact that Herod the Great named two of his sons Philip. The first Philip was the son of his wife, Mariamne, while the second Philip was the son of his wife, Cleopatra. The first Philip (Luke 3:19) was of a priestly line, and it was he who married his niece, Herodias. The second Philip (Luke 3:1) was the tetrarch.
John the Baptist was arrested by Herod Antipas sometime during the first year of Jesus’ public ministry, but after the first Passover, which is the one mentioned in John’s narrative (John 2:13; cp. 3:22-24). It seems that Jesus came into Galilee after John was imprisoned and about the time of the fall festivals (John 4:46-54; cp. Luke 7:1-2; Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14). We are able to conclude this because John’s imprisonment occurred sometime between the first Passover in Jesus’ public ministry (occurring in the first month of the Jewish calendar) and the third month or around the time of Pentecost (cp. John 4:35). If we conclude that Jesus spent about 3 months ministering to the Samaritans and at the same time avoid the Jewish authorities who were no doubt responsible for John’s imprisonment (cp. John 4:1-4), then Jesus’ return to Galilee (Luke 7:1-2; Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14), must have been around the autumn festivals in the seventh month of the Jewish calendar, and this represented the beginning of Jesus’ second year of ministry.
We know John was in prison for less than a year, because he hadn’t been imprisoned until sometime after the Passover of Jesus’ first year of public ministry (John 2:13; 3:22-24). Yet, he was beheaded just before the Passover in Jesus’ second year of public ministry (John 6:1-4, 10; Matthew 14:12, 21).
We also need to keep in mind that John’s ministry was in the wilderness regions. The people came out of the cities to hear him. It wasn’t like he demonstrated before Herod’s palace, accusing him of evil, because Herod and he didn’t walk in the same social circles. So, how could Herod have known what John was preaching? It seems evident, therefore, that we need to look for a conspiracy. Word of John’s preaching had to be brought to Herod and Herodias by a third party, and that third party was probably the Pharisees, possibly through the Herodians (cp. John 4:1-4; Mark 3:6). Moreover, Herod, himself, wasn’t bothered by John, for he took him for a prophet. Rather, it was Herodias who was furious with him (Mark 6:17-20).
In the course of time Herod celebrated his birthday with some of his friends, and the daughter of Herodias danced before him. He was so pleased that in his drunken state, he promised her anything. When she asked for John’s head to be brought to her mother on a plate, he immediately regretted his words, but to save face, he did as he was requested (Mark 6:21-26). Immediately, presumably while still drunk, he sent men to execute John and bring his head on a plate, which Herod gave to Herodias’ daughter, who then gave it to her mother (Mark 6:27-28). When John’s disciples heard what was done, they claimed his body and buried it (Mark 6:29) and then told Jesus (Matthew 14:12).
________________________________________________________
[1] See Josephus Antiquities of the Jews 17.8.3 (219).
Smoodock's Blog 