Herod Antipas was tetrarch of Perea and Galilee and played a prominent role in the deaths of John the Baptist and Jesus. He had some animosity towards Pilate. [1]
Herod was one of those apostate Jews who, although he believed in nothing, was superstitiously afraid of everything. [2] His evil deeds were widely known in his time and denounced by John the Baptist. [3] Joseph preferred Herod Antipas to the dangerous Archelaus, which led Joseph to decide to live in Nazareth rather than Bethlehem. [4]
James of Safed was a junior officer to Herod Antipas; Chuza was an administrator. [5] Many members of Herod Antipas' family believed in Jesus. [6]
He was the son of Herod the Great and ruled in Galilee and Perea during Jesus' youth and ministry. [7] The tetrarch Philip was his brother. [8] His office was tetrarch, not king; he is called a wicked Idumean because his family came from Idumea. [9]
Herod Antipas was like his father a great builder. He rebuilt many cities in Galilee, including the important commercial center of Sepphoris. [10] He had residences in Julias, Macaerus, Sepphoris, and Tiberias, the latter where he moved his capital. [11] His usual residence in Jerusalem was the Hasmonean or Maccabean palace. [12]
He imprisoned and beheaded John. [13] He spoke with John on occasion about the kingdom of heaven. [14] Herod was always afraid of having killed John, and he feared that Jesus was John resurrected. [15]
Joseph dies working in Herod Antipas's palace at Sepphoris; Herod Antipas decreed that Joseph was not to be paid any wages, which caused Jesus to lose confidence in Herod forever. [16] Jesus called him a "fox" because he could not trust him so much. [17] Herod sent observers to obtain information about Jesus; to see if Jesus was John raised from the dead. [18] Jesus left Galilee to avoid Herod's attention. [19] Herod knew that the Sanhedrin would not give Jesus a fair trial, yet he authorized his arrest. [20] He allowed the Sanhedrin to seize Jesus on religious charges. [21] Herod experienced a change of heart toward Jesus, sending him a message that he would not be arrested if he stayed out of Galilee. [22] The raising of Lazarus greatly alarmed Herod. [23] He then determined to kill Jesus, although he feared him, and preferred to drive him away. [24] During his interrogation he challenged Jesus to perform a miracle. [25] Dressed Jesus in an old royal robe. [26] But Jesus refused to speak; he knew it would have no effect. [27]
See also: UB 152:6.5; UB 174:2.4.