King
Herod Antipas
Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea · New Testament · 4 BC–AD 39
The Feast of Herod — Peter Paul Rubens
Summary
The tetrarch of Galilee who executed John the Baptist after Salome's dance, who Jesus called "that fox," and who mocked Jesus at his trial when Pilate sent him for examination.
- The record places Herod Antipas in New Testament.
- 6 moments stand in order on this page, each with its verse.
On this page
Start here
But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’
Luke 13:32→- 6 key events in order
Herod Antipas
- Role
- Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea
- Era
- New Testament
- Dates
- 4 BC–AD 39
- Tribe
- Idumea / Roman Galilee
- Father
- Herod the Great
- Spouse
- Herodias
The life in order
from the events the row records, with the first and last verse that names the person among the passages this page stands on
1What the record holds, in its own order
- Imprisoned John the BaptistMatthew 14:3-4Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
- Birthday banquet and Salome's danceMatthew 14:6-8On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod
- Executed John the BaptistMatthew 14:10and sent to have John beheaded in the prison.
- Jesus called him 'that fox'Luke 13:32But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’
- Mocked Jesus at his trialLuke 23:8-11When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see Him perform a miracle.
- Herod and Pilate became friendsLuke 23:12That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies.
Biography
Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great who ruled Galilee and Perea as a tetrarch under Rome. He is most infamous for the execution of John the Baptist. John had confronted Herod for marrying Herodias, his brother Philip's wife — "It is not lawful for you to have her." Herod wanted to kill John but feared the people who regarded him as a prophet, so he imprisoned him.
At Herod's birthday banquet, Herodias's daughter (named Salome by Josephus) danced and pleased Herod so much that he rashly promised her anything she wanted. Prompted by her mother, she requested John the Baptist's head on a platter. Herod was grieved but feared to break his oath before his guests, and John was executed. Jesus referred to Herod Antipas as "that fox" when warned Herod wanted to kill him.
At the trial of Jesus, Pilate sent him to Herod since Jesus was a Galilean; Herod was delighted, hoped to see a miracle, questioned Jesus at length (Jesus said nothing), and his soldiers mocked Jesus and dressed him in elegant robes before sending him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends that day.
But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’
What they got right, and what they got wrong
Strengths
Political survival, maintained power in a complex Roman political environment
Weaknesses
Moral cowardice (oath kept to impress guests at the cost of a prophet's head), adultery, murder of John the Baptist, mockery of Jesus, ruled by his wife Herodias's ambitions
Lessons
Religious fascination without repentance leads to the worst outcomes. Herod Antipas found John interesting, wanted to see Jesus's miracles, yet executed one and mocked the other. Curious about God while refusing to obey Him is not neutral — it is a form of rejection that ends in hardness.
Spiritual significance
Herod Antipas represents the type of person who is fascinated by true religion but refuses its demands. He heard John gladly, was perplexed and disturbed by his message, and wanted to see Jesus do a miracle — yet he executed one prophet and mocked the other. Religious curiosity without surrender is its own form of rejection.
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