Imprisonment of John the Baptist

John is arrested; the public phase of his ministry closes.

John confronts Herod and is imprisoned. The moment forms a hinge: Jesus' public Galilean proclamation intensifies as John's voice is constrained.

Scripture

Matthew 4:12 Matthew 14:3-5 Mark 6:17-20 Luke 3:19-20
Matthew 4:12

12 Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee.

Matthew 14:3-5

3 For Herod had laid hold of John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.

4 For John said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."

5 When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

Mark 6:17-20

17 For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, for he had married her.

18 For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."

19 Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him, but she couldn't,

20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.

Luke 3:19-20

19 but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,

20 added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

← Events