Topical Bible: Revenge: Herodias

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Topical Encyclopedia

Herodias is a prominent figure in the New Testament, known for her role in the events leading to the execution of John the Baptist. Her account is primarily found in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, where her actions are depicted as driven by revenge and manipulation.

Background and Family Connections

Herodias was the granddaughter of Herod the Great and the daughter of Aristobulus IV. She was initially married to Herod II (also known as Herod Philip I), her half-uncle, with whom she had a daughter named Salome. Herodias later left Herod II to marry Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, who was also her half-uncle and the brother of her first husband. This marriage was considered unlawful according to Jewish law, as it was both adulterous and incestuous.

Conflict with John the Baptist

John the Baptist, a prophet and forerunner of Jesus Christ, openly criticized Herod Antipas and Herodias for their unlawful marriage. In the Gospel of Mark, it is recorded: "For John had been saying to Herod, 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife'" (Mark 6:18). Herodias harbored a grudge against John for his condemnation and sought to kill him, but she was unable to do so because Herod Antipas feared John, recognizing him as a righteous and holy man (Mark 6:19-20).

The Dance of Salome and the Execution of John the Baptist

Herodias's opportunity for revenge came during Herod Antipas's birthday celebration. Her daughter, 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).

Though Herod was distressed by the request, he felt compelled to honor his promise due to the presence of his guests and the binding nature of his oath. Consequently, he ordered John to be beheaded in prison, and his head was brought to Salome, who then gave it to her mother, Herodias (Mark 6:26-28).

Herodias's Legacy

Herodias's actions are often viewed as a stark example of the destructive power of revenge. Her willingness to manipulate her daughter and exploit Herod's weaknesses to achieve her vengeful desires highlights the moral and spiritual corruption that can arise from harboring grudges. Herodias's account serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of sin and the importance of adhering to God's laws.

In the broader biblical narrative, Herodias's pursuit of revenge against John the Baptist stands in contrast to the teachings of Jesus, who advocated for forgiveness and love for one's enemies. Herodias's legacy is a reminder of the human propensity for sin and the need for redemption through Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 6:19-24
Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Martyrdom of John
... dread, if not of love. 'And kept him safe' (not ob- but pre-served him);
that is, from Herodias' revenge. 'And when he heard him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the martyrdom of john.htm

The King's Courts
... Under Royal Surveillance""It is not Lawful.""The Revenge of Herodias"The
Upbraidings of Conscience"Devotion to Truth""A Sin unto Death.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/x the kings courts.htm

Herod Antipas Supposes Jesus to be John.
... The crime stamped Herod and Herodias with greater infamy than that for which John
had ... Jesus would not aid them to seek the bitter fruits of revenge, nor did he ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxii herod antipas supposes jesus.htm

Herod --A Startled Conscience
... In the other scale there were his word, the pleasure of Herodias, and the ... except
for the malignant gloating of the woman over her gratified revenge, the event ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/heroda startled conscience.htm

The Martyrdom of John
... But Herodias sticks at nothing, and is as insensible to the duty of a ... in her character,
her hot animal passions, her cool inflexible revenge, her cynical ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the martyrdom of john.htm

Imprisonment and Death of John
... For a time Herod feebly sought to break the chain of lust that bound him; but Herodias
fastened him the more firmly in her toils, and found revenge upon the ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 22 imprisonment and death.htm

Fate of the Enemies of Jesus.
... Herodias followed him in his misfortunes.[1] A hundred years, at least, were to
elapse before ... The time of the great Christian revenge was, moreover, far distant ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter xxvii fate of the.htm

Jesus and Herod
... he could not and would not do the one thing needful: Herodias still retained ... the
father of his discarded wife, invaded the country, to revenge his daughter's ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter v jesus and herod.htm

St John the Baptist
... save the triumph of self-satisfied vanity; for the spite and revenge is not in ... such
human butterflies would take warning by the fate of Herodias' daughter, and ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxviii st john the.htm

Jesus Before Herod.
... take part in the sacrifices on account of his adulterous connection with Herodias. ...
make a disturbance on the festival day, and take the most inhuman revenge. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xx jesus before herod.htm