Imprisoned

After the death of Herod the Great, the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus divided Herod's kingdom among Herod's children, giving half to Herod Archelaus, one quarter to Herod Antipas, and one quarter to Philip the Tetrarch. Late in Philip's reign, his wife, Herodias, divorced herself from Philip so that she could marry his half-brother Herod Antipas.

At this time, Herod Antipas was married to Phasaelis, the daughter of King Aretas IV of Nabatea. But Herod divorced from Phasaelis so that he could marry Herodias.

Now, John preached the gospel to the people with many exhortations. But John also constantly reprimanded Herod Antipas because of all the wicked things he had done, especially marrying his half-brother's wife, Herodias. John maintained, "It is not lawful for you to have her."

Herodias held a grudge against John and kept urging Herod to kill him. Herod also wanted to kill John, but he could not because he feared John. He knew John was a righteous and holy man. When Herod listened to John's words, he was filled with uncertainty. And so, Herod protected John.

But eventually, Herodias wore down Herod's resolve to protect John. And so, Herod gave the order, and John was arrested, bound, and put into prison.

(See Matthew 4:12; Matthew 14:3-5; Mark 1:14a; Luke 3:19-20; John 3:24)

(Editor's Note: According to the historian Josephus, John was imprisoned in the fortress palace at Machaerus, located about 33 miles southwest of ancient Philadelphia. It overlooked the Dead Sea from the east, about 9 miles inland.)

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