Topical Encyclopedia Herod Antipas, known as the Tetrarch of Galilee, was a significant political figure during the time of Jesus Christ and the early Christian church. He was a son of Herod the Great and his fourth wife, Malthace, and ruled as tetrarch over Galilee and Perea from 4 BC to AD 39. His reign is noted for its political maneuvering, architectural projects, and interactions with key New Testament figures.Background and Reign Herod Antipas was one of the sons of Herod the Great, who divided his kingdom among his sons upon his death. Antipas was given control over Galilee and Perea, regions that were strategically important due to their location and economic potential. His title, "tetrarch," indicates that he governed a quarter of his father's kingdom, a common practice in the Roman Empire to maintain control over large territories. Antipas is perhaps best known for his role in the execution of John the Baptist. The Gospels recount that John had publicly criticized Antipas for his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. Herodias harbored a grudge against John and sought his death. During a banquet, Herodias's daughter, Salome, danced for Herod, and he promised to grant her any request. At her mother's prompting, she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter, a request that Herod reluctantly fulfilled (Mark 6:17-29). Interactions with Jesus Herod Antipas also appears in the Gospel accounts of Jesus' life. When Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate, Pilate, learning that Jesus was a Galilean, sent Him to Herod, who was in Jerusalem at the time. Herod had long desired to see Jesus, hoping to witness a miracle. However, Jesus did not perform for Herod and remained silent in response to his questioning. Herod and his soldiers mocked Jesus, dressing Him in a splendid robe before sending Him back to Pilate (Luke 23:6-12). Political and Personal Life Herod Antipas was known for his ambitious building projects, including the construction of the city of Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, named in honor of the Roman Emperor Tiberius. This city became the capital of his tetrarchy and a center of political and economic activity. His personal life was marked by controversy, particularly his marriage to Herodias. This union not only drew the ire of John the Baptist but also contributed to his political downfall. Herodias, ambitious and politically astute, encouraged Antipas to seek the title of king. This ambition led to his eventual exile. In AD 39, Herod Antipas was accused of conspiracy against the Roman Emperor Caligula and was subsequently exiled to Gaul, where he died. Legacy Herod Antipas's legacy is a complex one. He is remembered as a ruler who sought to balance the demands of Roman authority with the diverse and often turbulent dynamics of his territories. His interactions with John the Baptist and Jesus Christ place him at a pivotal moment in biblical history, illustrating the intersection of political power and prophetic witness. His life serves as a reminder of the temporal nature of earthly power and the enduring impact of spiritual truth. Nave's Topical Index Luke 3:1Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Nave's Topical Index Luke 23:7 Greek 5376. Philippos -- "horse-loving," Philip, two sons of Herod the ... ... a) one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, (b) tetrarch of the Ituraean and Trachonitic region, half-brother of Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee, (c) one of the ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5376.htm - 7k Library Second Stage of the Roman Trial. Jesus Before Herod Antipas. Herod the Tetrarch Makes War with Aretas, the King of Arabia, and ... Jesus Sent to Herod. The Times of Pilate. Herod Antipas Supposes Jesus to be John. Herod Concerning Herod's Death, and Testament, and Burial. Palestine Eighteen Centuries Ago The Death of Salome. The Cities which Herod and Philip Built. ... The Preaching of John. Ch. 3:1-20 Resources Who was Herod Agrippa II? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the various Herods mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is the Massacre of the Innocents? | GotQuestions.org Herod: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Herod: King of Judah (Herod the Great) Herod: Son of Aristobulus (Herod Agrippa I) Herod: Tetrarch of Galilee (Herod Antipas) Herod: Tetrarch of Galilee (Herod Antipas): Beheads John the Baptist Herod: Tetrarch of Galilee (Herod Antipas): Desires to See Jesus Herod: Tetrarch of Galilee (Herod Antipas): Incest of Herod: Tetrarch of Galilee (Herod Antipas): Jesus Tried By Herod: Tetrarch of Galilee (Herod Antipas): Tyranny of Irony: Herod Agrippa Ii to Paul Sarcasm: Herod Agrippa Ii to Paul Related Terms |
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