Who was Herod Antipas?
Herod Antipas was one of the sons of Herod the Great, who was king of Judea at the time of Jesus’ birth. After Herod the Great’s death, his kingdom was divided among his sons. Antipas became tetrarch (ruler of a fourth part) of Galilee and Perea. He is mentioned frequently in the New Testament, where he interacts with both John the Baptist and Jesus.
Here is an overview of Herod Antipas’ life and rule according to what the Bible tells us:
His Father and Early Life
– Herod Antipas was one of the sons of Herod the Great, who was appointed king of Judea by the Romans around 40 BC. Herod the Great undertook many major building projects, including expanding the Second Temple in Jerusalem. However, he was also ruthless and paranoid, even killing some of his own sons out of fear they would try to take his throne (Matthew 2:1-18).
– Antipas was born around 20 BC. His mother was Malthace, who was likely Herod the Great’s Samaritan wife. Antipas had several half-brothers, as Herod the Great had many wives.
– Little is known about his early life. As a son of Herod the Great, he lived a life of privilege. However, the palace was also marked by intrigue, rivalry and danger. Antipas’ older brothers, Alexander and Aristobulus, were executed by their father in 7 BC, when Antipas would have been a young teenager.
Inheriting the Tetrarchy of Galilee
– After Herod the Great died in 4 BC, his kingdom was divided between three of his remaining sons: Archelaus became ethnarch of Judea, Antipas became tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, and Philip became tetrarch of territories east of Galilee.
– Antipas ruled Galilee and Perea as a client state of the Roman Empire for over 40 years, from 4 BC to 39 AD. His realm was not nearly as large as his father’s kingdom. Still, ruling a portion of Israel gave him prestige and power.
– The capital of his tetrarchy was the city of Sepphoris, known for its wealth and Greco-Roman culture. Antipas later built a new capital, Tiberias, and named it in honor of the Roman Emperor Tiberius.
– Archaeology has uncovered evidence of the building projects Antipas undertook. He seems to have followed in his father’s footsteps of remodeling cities in the Greco-Roman style, with temples, colonnaded streets, and other impressive architecture.
Marriages
– Antipas married the daughter of King Aretas IV of Nabatea, an Arab kingdom based in Petra. This marriage helped secure his southern border. However, he later divorced her in order to marry Herodias, his niece and sister-in-law.
– Herodias had previously been married to Antipas’ half-brother Herod Philip I, but left him to marry Antipas instead. This marriage was considered scandalous and unlawful, as Herodias was both Antipas’ niece and brother’s ex-wife (Mark 6:17-18).
– The rejected wife fled back to her father, King Aretas, who later went to war against Antipas. Many Jews saw Aretas’ victory over Antipas in this war as divine punishment for Antipas’ unlawful marriage to Herodias (Mark 6:17-18).
– Antipas and Herodias had one daughter, Salome. In the gospels, Herodias uses Salome to manipulate Antipas and cause the execution of John the Baptist (Mark 6:21-28).
Interactions with Jesus Christ
– The gospels record several encounters between Antipas and Jesus:
1) When Jesus was preaching in Galilee, Antipas thought he was John the Baptist raised from the dead and was troubled (Matthew 14:1-2).
2) During Jesus’ trial, Antipas was excited to meet Jesus and hoped to see him perform a miracle (Luke 23:8).
3) On the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, Antipas happened to be visiting Jerusalem and met with Pilate. They became friends that day, having previously been enemies (Luke 23:12).
– Despite Antipas ruling Galilee during Jesus’ ministry and hearing about his miracles, the gospels do not record that Antipas met directly with Jesus or heard him preach, only that he was curious about him.
Executing John the Baptist
– Antipas is perhaps best known for his interactions with John the Baptist, Jesus’ forerunner. According to the gospels, John the Baptist publicly rebuked Antipas for his unlawful marriage to Herodias.
– Herodias held a grudge against John the Baptist and wanted Antipas to kill him but he would not, knowing that John was a holy man (Mark 6:19-20).
– However, at Herod Antipas’ birthday party, Herodias’ daughter Salome danced for Antipas and pleased him so much he rashly promised to give her anything she asked for. Prompted by her mother, Salome asked for John the Baptist’s head on a platter (Mark 6:21-28).
– Antipas was regretful but felt forced to keep his oath and executed John the Baptist, one of the most notorious acts of his reign (Matthew 14:1-12).
Later Reign and Death
– Antipas’ long reign came to an end in AD 39, after Caligula became Roman Emperor. Herod Agrippa I, Antipas’ nephew, accused Antipas of conspiracy against Rome. As a result, Caligula removed Antipas from power and sent him into exile in Gaul.
– Herodias chose to accompany her husband into exile. Nothing certain is known about Antipas’ death.
– Antipas ruled Galilee during an important time in Judean history. His interactions with John the Baptist and curiosity about Jesus mark his connection to major Biblical events. However, he remained merely a spectator rather than a true participant or follower.
Major Characteristics and Accomplishments:
– Ruled Galilee for over forty years as a client ruler under Rome
– Built the new capital city of Tiberias
– Married Herodias illegally, leading to conflict and war with the Nabateans
– Executed John the Baptist reluctantly to save face
– Met and interacted with Jesus but did not become a follower
– Lost power and was exiled in his later reign
Herod Antipas stands out as a tragic figure in the Bible. As tetrarch of Galilee, he had power and privilege. However, he made foolish decisions such as his unlawful marriage that ultimately led to negative consequences for his reign and legacy. He crosses paths with Jesus Christ but doesn’t recognize who Jesus truly is.
While intelligent and cunning like his father Herod the Great, Antipas lacked his father’s greatness as a builder and strong leadership qualities. His kingdom was not as vast as his father’s. Though Antipas encountered Jesus and respected John the Baptist’s holiness, he did not have the boldness to become a true follower and participant in God’s kingdom.
Instead, Antipas remained self-focused and self-serving. His manipulation by his wife Herodias and her daughter showed his lack of spiritual strength and wisdom. His oath to Salome cost John the Baptist’s life.
Antipas’ interactions with Pilate and friendship on the day of Jesus’ death (Luke 23:12) indicate he continued functioning as a politically-motivated ruler rather than having a change of heart. His curiosity about Jesus never led him to true belief.
In the end, Antipas’ legacy is a disappointment. As tetrarch, he lacked the greatness of his father Herod. As a ruler during Jesus’ ministry, he failed to see and serve the Messiah before his eyes. Antipas is remembered not for good rule, but for being manipulated into executing one of God’s prophets, John the Baptist.
Herod Antipas stands as a warning about having political power but lack of faith and vision for God’s kingdom. He missed the moment of visitation when God stepped into history in Jesus Christ (Luke 19:44). The Bible allows readers today to learn from his mistakes and not repeat them.
Bible Passages about Herod Antipas
The primary Bible passages that mention Herod Antipas include:
– Matthew 14:1-12 – Antipas executes John the Baptist at Herodias’ prompting
– Mark 6:14-29 – Details about Antipas’ opinion of Jesus, the execution of John the Baptist
– Luke 3:1,19-20 – John the Baptist rebukes Antipas for his marriage to Herodias
– Luke 9:7-9 – Antipas is perplexed by Jesus and thinks he is John the Baptist risen
– Luke 13:31-33 – Pharisees warn Jesus that Antipas wants to kill him
– Luke 23:6-12 – Antipas questions Jesus at his trial and becomes friends with Pilate
– Acts 4:27 – Mention of Antipas’ involvement in Jesus’ trial
Additionally, these accounts provide details about Antipas’ life:
– Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 18.5.1-4 – about war with Aretas
– Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 18.7.1-2 – about John the Baptist’s death
– Josephus, Jewish War 2.9.6 – about Tiberias construction
– Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 18.7.2 – Salome’s marriage
Key quotes from the biblical accounts include:
– “Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening. And he was perplexed, because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of old had risen.” (Luke 9:7-8)
– “For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.'” (Mark 6:18)
– “When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him.” (Luke 23:8)
– “That very day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.” (Luke 23:12)
These Bible verses provide the core source material about Antipas’ life, reign, and interaction with John and Jesus. They offer evidence about his manipulation by Herodias, his involvement in Jesus’ trial, and his curiosity about Jesus’ miracles and identity. However, they emphasize that Antipas never expressed true belief in Jesus as the Messiah.
Lessons Learned from Herod Antipas’ Life
Though he encountered Jesus Christ and respected John the Baptist’s holy calling, Herod Antipas did not have the courage to fully follow God. Several lessons emerge from his life:
1. Sin blinds us from seeing and serving God. Antipas’ unlawful marriage to Herodias trapped him in sin and damaged his rule. Sin distorts our vision and keeps us from recognizing Jesus.
2. Bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). Antipas was manipulated by the vengeful scheming of Herodias and Salome, causing him to act against his conscience.
3. God’s judgment falls on unrepentant sin. Antipas faced consequences like war with Aretas for his immorality and lack of repentance. God’s judgment on sin is inevitable.
4. Power without character is dangerous. Despite his power as tetrarch, Antipas lacked the strength to lead morally and spiritually. Political power must be joined with godly wisdom.
5. Knowing about Jesus is not enough. Antipas was fascinated by Jesus but never made a commitment of faith. We must move beyond curiosity to belief and discipleship.
6. Don’t delay in following Jesus. Antipas seems to have procrastinated when it came to Jesus, and the opportunity passed. When God speaks, we must respond promptly in obedience.
Antipas’ life offers a sobering case study about the cost of moral compromise and spiritual complacency. Though he came close to Jesus, he proves how possible it is to hear God’s message without allowing it to transform your life.
Conclusion
Herod Antipas holds an infamous place in biblical history as the ruler who executed John the Baptist and who presided over Jesus’ trial. His long reign in Galilee makes him an important political leader in the gospel accounts. However, he serves more as a foil, contrasting with the courageous faith of John and Jesus.
Antipas was neither a wise king like his father Herod the Great nor a true servant of God. His manipulation by Herodias showed weakness rather than wisdom. He failed to stand up boldly for what was right. Antipas illustrates how privilege and political power cannot substitute for lack of godly character.
Tragically, Antipas never transitioned from being a spectator of Jesus’ ministry to a wholehearted participant in God’s kingdom. Despite opportunities, he remained merely an outsider looking in.
The accounts of Herod Antipas offer a warning to heed God’s call, turn from sin, reject bad influences, and actively live out faith. Antipas’ life serves as a cautionary tale about the cost of compliance over conviction and curiosity without true conversion.