Herodias was an influential and controversial woman mentioned in the New Testament. She was the daughter of Aristobulus IV and Bernice and sister of Herod Agrippa I. Herodias married her uncle Philip the Tetrarch, who was the son of Herod the Great. However, she eventually divorced Philip to marry his brother Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea.
Herodias’ marriage to Herod Antipas was considered sinful and unlawful, as it went against Old Testament Levitical law forbidding marriage to a brother’s wife while he is still living (Leviticus 18:16, 20:21). John the Baptist boldly rebuked Herod Antipas for this, telling him “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife” (Mark 6:18). Herod Antipas imprisoned John but feared him as a righteous and holy man. Herodias, however, held a grudge against John and sought to have him killed (Mark 6:19).
The opportunity came when Herod Antipas threw a birthday party. Herodias’ daughter, Salome, danced for Herod and his guests. Herod was so pleased that he promised Salome anything she wanted, up to half his kingdom. Prompted by her mother, Salome asked for John the Baptist’s head on a platter. Herod reluctantly agreed and had John beheaded in prison (Mark 6:21-28).
Herodias was a woman of influence and used her position to manipulate powerful men like Herod Antipas. She allowed personal vendettas to drive her morally questionable decisions. Herodias’ grudge against John the Baptist led to his execution. She played a pivotal role in Jesus calling Jerusalem “the city that kills the prophets” (Luke 13:34).
Some key facts about Herodias in the Bible:
- Daughter of Aristobulus IV and Bernice
- Sister of Herod Agrippa I
- Married her uncle Philip the Tetrarch, then divorced him to marry his brother Herod Antipas
- Her marriage to Herod Antipas went against Old Testament Levitical law
- Rebuked by John the Baptist for her unlawful marriage to Herod Antipas
- Held a grudge against John and sought to have him killed
- Orchestrated the beheading of John the Baptist through her daughter Salome
- Used her position and influence to manipulate Herod Antipas
Herodias exploited her relationship with men in power to have John the Baptist, an innocent man, executed. She serves as a Biblical example of how personal vendettas can lead people to make unwise and unethical choices, even costing others’ lives. Herodias was an influential but morally corrupt woman who used her status to undermine God’s servants like John.
Herodias’ Family Background
The Bible does not provide much detail about Herodias’ early life. However, extra-biblical ancient sources shed some light on her family background.
Herodias was born around 15 BC and was the daughter of Aristobulus IV and Bernice. Her father, Aristobulus IV, was the son of Herod the Great. Unfortunately, Herod the Great had Aristobulus IV drowned in 7 BC at the age of 18 because he saw him as a threat to his power. Herodias’ mother Bernice was likely one of the daughters of Herod’s sister Salome.
Herodias had a brother named Herod Agrippa I. He became very close with the Roman emperors Gaius and Claudius and ruled over Judea from 41-44 AD. Herod Agrippa I persecuted early Christians, executing the apostle James and imprisoning Peter before his miraculous escape (Acts 12:1-19).
Herodias belonged to the Herodian dynasty, founded by her grandfather Herod the Great. The Herodian dynasty ruled Judea and surrounding areas on behalf of the Roman Empire from 37 BC to 92 AD. Family marriages between uncles, nieces, and siblings were common practice to preserve the dynasty’s power. However, these marriages clearly disobeyed Old Testament Levitical law.
Marriages to Philip the Tetrarch and Herod Antipas
Herodias first married her half-uncle Philip the Tetrarch, son of Herod the Great and Cleopatra of Jerusalem. Philip ruled over the regions east of the Sea of Galilee from 4 BC to 34 AD.
Sometime between 17-20 AD while still married to Philip, Herodias divorced him to marry his half-brother Herod Antipas. At that time, Philip was still alive and well. Herod Antipas ruled Galilee and Perea from 4 BC to 39 AD.
Her marriage to Herod Antipas while her first husband Philip was still alive went against Old Testament Levitical law:
“And you shall not take a woman as a rival wife to her sister, uncovering her nakedness while her sister is still alive.” (Leviticus 18:18)
“If a man takes his brother’s wife, it is impurity. He has uncovered his brother’s nakedness; they shall be childless.” (Leviticus 20:21)
Despite this clear violation of God’s law, Herodias pursued what she wanted for the sake of power and was unashamed.
Rebuked by John the Baptist
John the Baptist, the prophetic forerunner of Jesus Christ, boldly called out Herod Antipas for his unlawful marriage to Herodias. The Gospels record John’s rebuke:
“For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”” (Mark 6:17-18)
“But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done…” (Luke 3:19)
As an unrestrained immoral woman, Herodias felt offended by John the Baptist calling out her sinful marriage. Rather than humbly repenting, Herodias nursed a grudge against John and sought ways to have him killed.
Herod Antipas, on the other hand, respected John as a holy man and protected him from Herodias’ wrath. The Gospel of Mark notes, “When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly” (Mark 6:20). Herod Antipas even enjoyed listening to John speak.
However, Herod eventually capitulated to Herodias’ plotting and had John the Baptist beheaded.
The Beheading of John the Baptist
The infamous incident of Herodias successfully plotting John the Baptist’s execution is recorded in all 4 Gospels (Matthew 14:1-12, Mark 6:14-29, Luke 9:7-9).
Herod Antipas threw a lavish birthday party for himself, inviting high-ranking officials and military commanders. Herodias’ daughter Salome danced for Herod and his drunken guests. Herod was so captivated by her dancing that he promised to give her whatever she asked for, up to half his kingdom.
Prompted by her mother Herodias, Salome requested: “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter!” (Matthew 14:8). Though deeply grieved, Herod agreed to the girl’s request because of his oaths and his dinner guests.
John the Baptist, an innocent man, was beheaded in prison at Herodias’ vengeful instigation. She manipulated her husband Herod Antipas and daughter Salome to accomplish her bitter desire despite Herod’s reluctance.
Herodias’ grudge against John the Baptist for calling out her sin revealed the true ugliness of her character. She exploited Herod’s moral weakness and wield her influence to silence God’s prophet.
Herodias in Josephus’ Writings
The Jewish historian Josephus provides additional insight about Herodias in his historical writings:
“Herodias took upon her to confound the laws of our country, and divorced herself from her husband while he was alive, and was married to Herod Antipas” (Antiquities 18.5.4)
“So Herodias was in a rage, and purchased the fall of [John the Baptist]; but Herod, when he understood that a fine was imposed for killing him, which a monstrous crime did indeed deserve, took care there should be no such thing done.” (Antiquities 18.5.2)
Josephus condemned Herodias’ blatant disregard of Biblical law concerning marriage and divorce. He also noted her fierce determination to have John killed at all costs. Josephus confirms the Gospel accounts about the unrestrained immorality and vindictiveness of Herodias.
Later Years
Not much is known about Herodias later in life after the execution of John the Baptist. In 39 AD, Herod Antipas traveled to Rome to seek the title of king. However, Herodias’ brother Herod Agrippa I accused Antipas of treason against Rome before the emperor Caligula.
As punishment, Caligula removed Herod Antipas from power and sent him into exile in Gaul. Herodias willingly accompanied her husband into exile. Antipas and Herodias likely died in Gaul with no power or kingdom.
Herodias faded from history after her husband’s downfall. The only lasting legacy of her sinful life was her murder of John the Baptist.
Lessons from Herodias’ Life
What lessons can modern readers learn from Herodias’ controversial life story?
- The destructive nature of sin. Herodias’ unlawful marriage led to even greater sins of bitterness and murder.
- God’s moral law still applies. Herodiasflagrantly disregarded Old Testament commands against incestuous marriage.
- Vengeful bitterness is dangerous. Herodias nursed a grudge against John rather than repenting of her sins.
- Influential women carry great responsibility. Herodias exploited her status to get John killed.
- Avoid moral compromise. Herod was reluctant to execute John but gave in to Herodias’ pressure.
- Expect persecution when standing for truth. John the Baptist was imprisoned and killed for confronting Herodias’ sin.
The choices Herodias made still provide modern-day warnings about the corruption of sin and consequences of compromising God’s moral laws. She remains a sobering example of using status for selfish gain rather than moral influence.
Herodias in Popular Culture
Herodias has been portrayed in many creative works of literature, art, film and music over the centuries, often in an unfavorable light.
- Literature – featured as a vengeful, manipulative character in works from Shakespeare’s Hamlet to historical fiction novels.
- Art – frequently depicted in medieval and Renaissance art with Salome and the beheading of John the Baptist.
- Film – played by actresses in many Jesus and Biblical epics from silent films to recent productions.
- Music – appears in operas like Strauss’ Salome and Hector Berlioz’s L’enfance du Christ oratorios.
While sometimes portrayed sympathetically, Herodias is most often shown as spiteful, cunning, and using sex appeal to accomplish evil. Her story continues to fascinate artists and dramatists through the ages.
Theological Interpretations
Christian theologians over the centuries have offered some insights into the significance of Herodias and Salome in Scripture.
- Origen saw the dance of Salome at Herod’s feast as representing how sin originates with evil suggestions and becomes deed.
- Herodias has been viewed as representing liberation from ethics, using freedom to do as one pleases.
- Salome dancing for Herod is seen as a precursor to the prostitute Babylon in Revelation seducing kings.
- Just as Herodias used her daughter, Babylon is seen as both a city and a corrupting mother figure.
- The manipulative relationship between Herodias and Salome has been contrasted with the pure relationship between Mary and Jesus.
While intriguing, these symbolic parallels are speculative. The biblical text itself simply presents Herodias as an immoral queen who sought to silence a righteous prophet through conspiracy and murder.
Herodias’ Significance
So what is Herodias’ lasting significance and why does she matter?
As a key player in Jesus’ description of Jerusalem as “the city that kills the prophets” (Luke 13:34), Herodias holds great symbolic importance. She represents the corrupt leadership that rejected God’s word and sought to suppress disobedient voices like John the Baptist. Herodias personifies the wickedness that violently pushed back against the coming of the Messiah.
Thecontrast between the repentant sinners and the religious leaders who rejected the gospel is encapsulated in Herod and Herodias’ responses to John’s message. Herod was fascinated but Herodias was offended. One was open and the other stubbornly hard-hearted.
While a rather despicable character, Herodias’ presence in the New Testament underscores the ministry challenges facing Jesus and the dire opposition early believers faced from the highest levels of society. Her actions, prompted by sin and bitterness, highlight the need for Christ’s redemption and transformation in all people, not just the obviously corrupt.