But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss is that Luke groups John the Baptist's ministry with his imprisonment here for narrative flow, not strict chronology. This highlights how John's bold confrontation of Herod's scandalous marriage was part of his overall impactful ministry, not an isolated incident. It shows John's unwavering commitment to speaking truth to power, even to his own peril.
But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Luke is setting the stage by summarizing John the Baptist's fearless ministry, which extended even to the powerful ruler Herod. This verse anticipates John's eventual imprisonment by Herod, explaining that John had confronted the tetrarch not just for his illicit marriage to his brother's wife but also for his other wicked deeds. This detail serves to highlight John's unwavering courage and provides context for the later events of Jesus' ministry.
Why does Luke mention Herod's sin before John the Baptist is even imprisoned?
Luke, like other Gospel writers, isn't always strictly chronological. Here, he intentionally jumps ahead.
John didn't just preach to crowds; he confronted a king. What does that tell us about God's message?
John the Baptist was fearless. He didn't shy away from speaking truth to power, even when it put his life at risk.
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Understand the original words
tetrarchēs · Greek Noun
A ruler of a fourth part of a region; a subordinate governor under the Roman Empire. It highlights the political authority that often stands in opposition to the kingdom of God.
elenchō · Greek Verb
To correct, expose, or convict someone of their wrongdoing. In a biblical context, it involves speaking truth to power or confronting sin with the intent of repentance.
This verse highlights the courageous faithfulness of John the Baptist, who did not shy away from confronting powerful rulers with truth, even at great personal risk.
c. 4 BC
Herod the Great's Death
The death of Herod the Great leads to the division of his kingdom among his sons, including Herod Antipas, who becomes tetrarch of Galilee and Perea.
c. AD 27-28
John the Baptist's Ministry Begins
John the Baptist begins his public ministry, preaching repentance and baptizing in the Jordan River, calling people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah.
c. AD 28— this verse
John Reproves Herod Antipas
John the Baptist confronts Herod Antipas for his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's former wife. This act of faithfulness earns Herod's disapproval.
c. AD 28
Herod Imprisons John the Baptist
Despite being initially intrigued by John's preaching, Herod Antipas, influenced by Herodias, imprisons John to silence his reproaches.
c. AD 30-31
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus' public ministry culminates in his crucifixion, an event that would profoundly shape the early Christian movement.
This passage provides the fuller, and likely chronological, account of John the Baptist confronting Herod about his unlawful marriage, highlighting Herod's internal conflict and Herodias's malice.
Mark 6:17Similar to Matthew's account, Mark details Herod's unlawful marriage and John's courageous confrontation, emphasizing Herod's mixed feelings about John, as he 'heard him gladly,' yet was deeply troubled.
Leviticus 18:16This Old Testament law directly prohibits a man from marrying his brother's wife, which forms the core of John the Baptist's rebuke to Herod and highlights the sinfulness of Herod's actions.
Luke 13:32Jesus Himself refers to Herod as 'that fox,' a description that, when paired with this passage, underscores the cunning and possibly corrupt nature of Herod that John the Baptist would have been confronting.
Acts 24:25This passage shows Felix, another ruler, trembling when Paul reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, mirroring the effect John's preaching had on Herod, who also heard and was troubled by truths he didn't act upon.
barnesLuke 3:19: "But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,"
See the notes at Matthew 14:1-13 . "Added this above all." To all his former crimes he added this; not implying that this was the "worst" of his acts, but that this was "one" of his deeds, of like character as the others. The event here mentioned did not take place until some time after this, but it is mentioned here to show what was the end of John's pr…
cambridgeLuke 3:19: "But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,"
19 . But Herod the tetrarch ] The incident which follows is here introduced by anticipation, that the subsequent narrative may not be disturbed. It should be compared with the fuller notice in Mark 6:17-20 ; Matthew 14:3-5 . From these passages we learn that John had reproved Antipas for many crimes, and that Antipas was so convinced of his holiness and…
What's easy to miss is that Luke groups John the Baptist's ministry with his imprisonment here for narrative flow, not strict chronology. This highlights how John's bold confrontation of Herod's scandalous marriage was part of his overall impactful ministry, not an isolated incident. It shows John's unwavering commitment to speaking truth to power, even to his own peril.
Luke is setting the stage by summarizing John the Baptist's fearless ministry, which extended even to the powerful ruler Herod. This verse anticipates John's eventual imprisonment by Herod, explaining that John had confronted the tetrarch not just for his illicit marriage to his brother's wife but also for his other wicked deeds. This detail serves to highlight John's unwavering courage and provides context for the later events of Jesus' ministry.
Luke is setting the stage by summarizing John the Baptist's fearless ministry, which extended even to the powerful ruler Herod. This verse anticipates John's eventual imprisonment by Herod, explaining that John had confronted the tetrarch not just for his illicit marriage to his brother's wife but also for his other wicked deeds. This detail serves to highlight John's unwavering courage and provides context for the later events of Jesus' ministry.
"But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison." — What's easy to miss is that Luke groups John the Baptist's ministry with his imprisonment here for narrative flow, not strict chronology. This highlights how John's bold confrontation of Herod's scan…
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Last reviewed October 2026