Topical Bible: Murder: Herodias and Her Daughter

◄ Murder: Herodias and Her Daughter ►

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The account of Herodias and her daughter is a significant narrative in the New Testament, illustrating the themes of manipulation, vengeance, and the tragic consequences of sin. This account is primarily found in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, where it details the events leading to the murder of John the Baptist.

Herodias:

Herodias was the wife of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. Herodias had previously been married to Herod's brother, Philip, making her marriage to Herod both unlawful and scandalous according to Jewish law. John the Baptist, a prophet and forerunner of Jesus Christ, openly condemned this union, saying, "It is not lawful for you to have her" (Mark 6:18). Herodias harbored a deep grudge against John for his bold rebuke and sought to kill him, but she was unable to do so because Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man (Mark 6:19-20).

Herodias' Daughter:

Herodias' daughter, traditionally known as Salome, played a pivotal role in the execution of John the Baptist. During Herod's birthday celebration, Salome performed a dance that pleased Herod and his guests. In his delight, Herod promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked, up to half of his kingdom (Mark 6:22-23). Prompted by her mother, Salome requested the head of John the Baptist on a platter (Mark 6:24-25).

The Murder of John the Baptist:

Herod was deeply distressed by the request, yet because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her. Consequently, he ordered the execution of John the Baptist, and John's head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who then gave it to her mother (Mark 6:26-28). This act of murder, instigated by Herodias and executed through her daughter, highlights the destructive power of sin and the lengths to which individuals may go to silence the truth.

Theological Implications:

The account of Herodias and her daughter serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of harboring resentment and the moral decay that can result from unchecked sin. Herodias' manipulation of her daughter to achieve her vengeful desires underscores the corrupting influence of sin on familial relationships and the broader community. Furthermore, the narrative illustrates the cost of standing for righteousness, as exemplified by John the Baptist, who remained steadfast in his commitment to God's truth despite the personal risk.

This account also reflects the broader biblical theme of the conflict between God's kingdom and the worldly powers that oppose it. John's martyrdom foreshadows the suffering and persecution that followers of Christ may endure for the sake of the Gospel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 14:8-11
And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Martyrdom of John
... a crew of half-tipsy revellers, and from teaching her young lips to ask for murder.
But Herodias sticks at nothing, and is as insensible to the duty of a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the martyrdom of john.htm

The Martyrdom of John
... It is useless to admire John if you keep Herodias. ... One need not repeat the grim
narrative of the murder. ... of the mother who would shame her daughter for such an ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the martyrdom of john.htm

Having Mentioned the Baptist, St. ...
... What is more base than that a murder should be ... This head is borne to Herodias: she
rejoices, she exults as ... from the crime, because she has slain her judge. 31. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi having mentioned the.htm

Embassy from John in Prison to Jesus --Death of John --Relations ...
... and that he ought to send away Herodias.[1] We ... desired, and she replied, at the
instigation of her mother, "Give ... regarded as a punishment for the murder of John ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter xii embassy from john.htm

Set at Liberty.
... refrain from doing deeds of incest and murder, should be ... and the damsel gave it to
her mother." There ... with anguish that all the witchery of Herodias could not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xiv set at liberty.htm

Matt. xiii. 53
... For a murder more impious than all murders was perpetrated, and he ... "The daughter
of Herodias," it is ... he swore [1905] with an oath to give her whatsoever she ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xlviii matt xiii 53.htm

Herod
... herself possess "forthwith" the head of her mother's foe ... to John, yet cannot break
with Herodias altogether, these do not seem likely to end in murder. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 6 14-29 herod.htm

Index i. Of Subjects
... Salome, daughter of Herodias, dances before Herod, i.672; her end, 673. Salome,
sister of Herod I., compasses murder of her husband, of Mariamme, Soemus, and ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/index i of subjects.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... Herodias, chief author of John's murder, [841]409; the procuress, yea the murderess,
of her daughter, [842]410; her guilt and Herod's known to all time and ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

Dancing.
... a sudden destruction; and the dancing of Herodias, Matthew 14 ... of King Herod and to
the murder of John ... the many handsome gallants who danced attendance upon her. ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/iv dancing.htm