Herod Antipas
The ruler of Galilee who liked listening to John the Baptist, then had him killed, and met Jesus at his trial.
New Testament · 4 BC–AD 39 · Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts · Also known as Herod the tetrarch, That fox
About Herod Antipas
Herod Antipas, a son of Herod the Great, ruled Galilee as "tetrarch" throughout Jesus’ ministry. John the Baptist told him, "It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife," and Herod imprisoned him. Yet "Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy... and heard him gladly." At his birthday feast he made a rash oath, and was manoeuvred into beheading John. Hearing of Jesus, he said, "John have I beheaded: but who is this?" Jesus called him "that fox." At Jesus’ trial Pilate sent Jesus to him; Herod "hoped to have seen some miracle," but Jesus "answered him nothing." Herod mocked him and sent him back, "and the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together."
This guide speaks about Herod Antipas, not as him, out of care. A "tetrarch" ruled part of a kingdom; Antipas governed Galilee and Perea under Rome. He built the city of Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee. The Gospels sometimes call him "king," a courtesy title; Rome later exiled him.
The story
Tetrarch of Galilee
"Herod being tetrarch of Galilee." John the Baptist rebuked him: "It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife." So Herod "laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife."
Luke 3:1, 19-20; Mark 6:17-18
He heard him gladly
"For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly."
Mark 6:19-20
Tell that fox
Some Pharisees warned Jesus, "Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee." Jesus answered, "Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected."
Luke 13:31-32
He answered him nothing
Pilate sent Jesus to Herod. "And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season... and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him." He questioned him at length, "but he answered him nothing." Herod and his soldiers mocked Jesus, "arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together."
Luke 23:6-12
Key moments
- Imprisons John: "It is not lawful for thee." (Mark 6:17-18)
- Hears John gladly: "A just man and an holy." (Mark 6:20)
- Executes John: "For his oath’s sake." (Mark 6:26-27)
- "That fox": Jesus’ name for him. (Luke 13:32)
- Meets Jesus: "He answered him nothing." (Luke 23:9)
Questions about Herod Antipas
Why did Herod arrest John the Baptist?
Because John said publicly, "It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife." Herod had married Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. Herodias especially wanted John silenced. Yet Mark says Herod "feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy... and heard him gladly." He knew John was right and still wouldn’t change.
Why did Jesus call Herod a fox?
When warned "Herod will kill thee," Jesus said, "Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected." A fox suggested someone sly and destructive but not truly powerful. Jesus wasn’t afraid of him; His path was set by God, not by Herod.
What happened when Herod met Jesus?
He was delighted: "he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him." He questioned Him at length, "but he answered him nothing." Herod had silenced John, the voice that called him to repent; now the Word Himself was silent before him. He mocked Jesus, dressed Him "in a gorgeous robe," and sent Him back to Pilate, and the two rulers became friends that day.
Connected people
- John the Baptist: Imprisoned and executed him
- Jesus: Questioned and mocked him
- Pontius Pilate: Became his friend
- Herodias: Wife
- Herod the Great: Father
Read it yourself
Start with Mark 6:14-29; Luke 13:31-32; 23:6-12.