Herod Antipas imprisons John the Baptist
Luke 3:19–20; Mark 6:17–20; Matthew 14:3–5
John rebuked Herod Antipas for marrying Herodias, his half-brother's wife, and for his other evils. Herod had him arrested and imprisoned.
For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Mark 6:18 (World English Bible)
Herod feared John, knowing he was a righteous and holy man, and liked to listen to him even though he was troubled by what he heard (Mark 6:20). Herodias, however, wanted him dead. Josephus says John was held at Machaerus, Herod's fortress east of the Dead Sea.
Ancient witnesses outside the Bible
Historical sources, not Scripture.
- Antiquities 18.5.2 — Herod held John at Machaerus
Dating notes
Ussher: late AD 30, before Jesus left Judea for Galilee (John 4:1–3; Matthew 4:12). The month shown is estimated from the order of events in Ussher's harmony, so that events of the same year appear in sequence.