Herodias
Gentile Herodian family (Idumean descent) · Life of Christ · New Testament
- Role
- Wife of Herod Antipas who sought the death of John the Baptist
- When
- c. AD 28-29
What they did
Having left Philip to marry his brother Herod, she held a grudge against John the Baptist for condemning the marriage, and used her daughter's dance to obtain John's head.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
Her story shows the cost of faithful witness and the danger of a hardened heart toward God's word.
For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife. Mark 6:18 (KJV)
Bible references
For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. Matthew 14:3-4 (KJV)
For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife. Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: Mark 6:17-19 (KJV)
And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist. Mark 6:22-25 (KJV)
Family
- Spouse(s)
- Philip (Mark 6:17); then Herod Antipas
- Children
- A daughter who danced before Herod (Mark 6:22; history names her Salome)