Herodias

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Greek form related to “Herod,” likely meaning “of Herod’s line/house,” marking her dynastic identity.
• Period/Era: Second Temple Period; Roman Imperial Context (early 1st century AD).
• Main References: Matthew 14:3–12; Mark 6:17–29; Luke 3:19–20.
• Key Connections: Herod Antipas (husband); Herod Philip (former husband, per Mark); Salome (daughter, unnamed in Matthew/Mark); John the Baptist.

Who was Herodias?

Herodias was a woman of the Herodian ruling family in Galilee under Roman oversight.
She became the wife of Herod Antipas after leaving his brother Philip (as reported in Mark).
The Gospels portray her as hostile to John the Baptist because he condemned their marriage.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Her marriage to Herod Antipas became the occasion for John the Baptist’s public rebuke (Mark 6:17–18).
• Event 2: She pressed for John’s arrest and continued to seek his death despite Antipas’s hesitation (Mark 6:19–20).
• Event 3: Through a banquet request made via her daughter, John was executed and his head delivered to her (Mark 6:24–28).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Herodias is remembered in the Gospels as a political figure whose opposition to prophetic witness contributed to the silencing of John the Baptist.

Key Verse

"For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”" — Mark 6:18, ESV