Luke 3:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

To Herod's astonishment, John was not the man he anticipated. Despite his humble attire and austere lifestyle, which could easily prompt misinterpretation, John emerged as a staunch moral advocate. He possessed the courage to declare the same truths to Herod and his court that he proclaimed to the people in the wilderness. Freed from constraint within Herod’s palace, he openly confronted the ruler, reproaching him for taking his brother Herod Philip’s wife to be his own. John’s zeal did not stop there; he boldly criticized various immoralities rampant in Herod's court. Perhaps, while Herod himself didn’t overtly express anger towards these accusations, he did show a degree of respect for John, even enjoying his messages (Mark 6:20).

However, Herodias, driven by ambition and resentment towards John's rebukes, exerted her influence over Herod, insisting on John's death. Eventually, she succeeded in persuading him, leading to John's imprisonment within the fortress of Maheru. Herod had no immediate plans to escalate the situation, partly because the Galileans held John in high regard as a prophet and Herod feared backlash from the people (Matthew 14:5). Additionally, Herod was cautious, concerned that harming a holy and devout man might invoke divine retribution (Mark 6:20). These considerations left Herod in a prolonged state of uncertainty regarding John, and he might have ultimately opted to release him if not for Herodias seizing on one of Herod’s moments of weakness to secure John’s execution. Throughout his imprisonment, however, Herod permitted John the comfort of fellowship with his disciples.

Tragically, this extraordinary figure, before whom all should humbly bow, met a ghastly and humiliating demise at the hands of an executioner, acting on the orders of a morally insignificant individual, who attained his position through the treacherous schemes of a vindictive woman.

The Evangelists briefly recount this narrative (Matthew 14:1-12, Mark 6:14-29, Luke 9:7-9), yet historical context enables us to examine its intricacies, revealing how frivolity and unchecked passions can culminate in the gravest transgressions. The sons of Herod the Great inherited their father's treacherous and lustful disposition, leading to a legacy of intrigue, quarrels, and betrayal among the Herodian family. Among these Herods and Herodias, nefarious schemes were commonplace, with some members resorting to deceit and slander to outmaneuver one another. Herod Antipas, the tragic figure at the center of this story, was notorious for his moral debasement. He engaged in ceaseless disputes and intrigues with his siblings, sycophantically appealing to the Romans to expand his holdings, even hosting extravagant feasts funded by the resources of whole regions—delighting in the admiration of Roman poets who lauded his lavishness.

Antipas identified as a Sadducee, placing his faith solely in wealth and revelry, and exhibiting a callous disregard for the misfortunes of his people and kin. His life was already rife with transgressions, but he craved more illicit pleasures, ultimately leading to an unholy alliance that culminated in unspeakable violence. In 27 or 28 A.D., he traveled to Jerusalem to address a dispute instigated by Pilate regarding the placing of dedicatory shields in honor of Tiberius, an issue troubling the religious sentiments of the populace. This gathering brought all Herods together, including Antipas, who was welcomed by his half-brother Philip, married to Herodias—a woman known for her ambition and determination.

Antipas, accustomed to the splendor of Roman court life, captivated Herodias, who, despite being approximately 35 years old and having a grown daughter, entertained feelings for him. Their passion, however scandalous, resulted in an affair that culminated in disgraceful actions, as Antipas would soon pursue Roman favor. The timing required both Antipas and Herodias to dissolve their respective marriages—He requiring his Arab princess, the daughter of the mighty Aretas, to part with him, while Herodias left her husband Philip. Antipas recognized the potential turmoil of such actions, particularly the imminent threat of conflict with Aretas; however, to his relief, his Arab wife decided to leave him upon discovering his betrayal. She was promptly escorted home, and the marriage was annulled.

Herodias moved quietly into Antipas's palace in Tiberias, a scandalous transition occurring in the territory where John was ministering. The people keenly felt the peril of defying a powerful neighbor and were aware that such a union was against divine law. The condemned marriage, marked by its dual betrayal, incited dissent even among the Herods, prompting Antipas to isolate himself from his relatives. This action was one of the most perilous he undertook as he was generally cautious about provoking public sentiment and faced potential war with Aretas, who desired retribution for the slight against his daughter. Despite this looming threat, the people remained subdued under the combined oppression of Roman rule and their own treacherous leaders.

Amongst the silence, John, the mighty prophet, emerged as a voice for the people. Preaching near Tiberias, he boldly confronted Herod during his indulgent celebrations, proclaiming with prophetic authority, "It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife!" The ruler, already unsettled by John's reputation as a prophet, was shaken in his conscience. Yet, his character proved weak; the manipulative Herodias, resembling Jezebel of old, ensured the prophet's demise. Claiming a concern for public order, Herod sought to silence John, who had amassed followers and posed a defiant influence over the populace.

The political and religious leaders, feeling threatened by John's bold criticisms, colluded to end his ministry. He was arrested and taken to the fortress of Machaerus, a castle situated strategically above the Jordan Valley, notable for its rugged terrain and historical significance. This compound became John's prison, filled with dark, damp cells, contrasting starkly with the grandeur of Herod's palace, which echoed with revelry and opulence.

While Herod enjoyed panoramic views of sacred sites and natural beauty, John languished in isolation, disconnected from Israel and the movement he fueled. Though the city of Machaerus teemed with life, John remained surrounded by harsh guards and Herodian officials, who epitomized the decadence of royal courts. However, the people never lost their faith, still looking to the imprisoned prophet as a beacon of truth.

John's confinement was far from peaceful, as he faced torment and humiliation typical of prisons in antiquity. Christ indicated that "they did unto him whatsoever they listed" (Matthew 17:12), hinting at the cruelty he endured. However, John's unyielding spirit and the weight of divine truth lent him a certain dignity that even Herod acknowledged; he feared John, recognizing him as a righteous man and treated him with a level of respect, sometimes even seeking his counsel.

Yet, the grappling conscience of Herod, magnified by John's prophetic clarity, could not endure indefinitely. While John remained a constant reminder of his moral failings, the relentless ambitions of Herodias exacerbated his internal turmoil. Caught between his regard for the prophet and the manipulations of his wife, Antipas felt immense pressure to eliminate the source of his unease, particularly as he faced growing unrest among the people.

Tragically, it was Herodias's resolve that ultimately prevailed, leading to John's execution. Though John was imprisoned, his voice echoed beyond those walls, reminding all of righteousness and the newfound peril to Herod's ill-gotten union, sowing discontent that would reverberate throughout Antipas's reign.

Like the ancient prophet Elijah, who reproved the transgressions of Ahab and Jezebel, John confronted Herod, stating, “It is not worthy for you to have your brother's wife.” Herod Philip, John's brother, resided in Rome as a private citizen and was legally married to Herodias. However, driven by ambition, she forsook him, engaging in a union with Herod Antipas, in violation of the law that prohibited a man from marrying his brother's wife while the brother was still living. This unscrupulous woman desired to eliminate John for condemning her immoral relationship but, for the time being, her flattering attempts merely succeeded in having Herod Antipas imprison him. Herod, however, hesitated to fulfill Herodias' deadly desire, fearing the backlash from the people, as he understood John to be a righteous and holy man, whose death could invoke divine retribution. These concerns led Herod to regard John with favor, to honor him, and to respectfully listen to his counsel. This reverence for the prisoner elucidates why John experienced a degree of freedom even in imprisonment, allowing him to maintain open communication with his disciples, who kept him informed of Christ’s works, and he in turn sent them to Christ.