Herodias

Herodias was the wife of Herod Antipas, who had John the Baptist beheaded at her request.

Herodias was the wife of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee during the time of Jesus' ministry. She was originally married to Herod Philip, the half-brother of Herod Antipas, but later divorced him to marry Herod Antipas (Mat 14:3; Mrk 6:17; Luk 3:19). John the Baptist openly condemned this marriage as unlawful, which led to his imprisonment by Herod Antipas (Mat 14:3-4; Mrk 6:17-18; Luk 3:19-20). Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to have him killed, but Herod Antipas feared the multitude who regarded John as a prophet (Mat 14:5; Mrk 6:19-20). On Herod Antipas's birthday, Herodias's daughter danced before the guests, pleasing Herod Antipas, who promised to give her whatever she asked (Mat 14:6-7; Mrk 6:21-23). Prompted by her mother Herodias, the daughter asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter (Mat 14:8; Mrk 6:24-25). Although reluctant, Herod Antipas fulfilled the request and had John beheaded in prison (Mat 14:9-11; Mrk 6:26-28).

(Matt. 14:3-11; Mark 6:17-28; Luke 3:19), the daughter of Aristobulus and Bernice. While residing at Rome with her husband Herod Philip I. and her daughter, Herod Antipas fell in with her during one of his journeys to that city. She consented to leave her husband and become his wife. Some time after, Herod met John the Baptist, who boldly declared the marriage to be unlawful. For this he was “cast into prison,” in the castle probably of Machaerus (q.v.), and was there subsequently beheaded.