Herod Antipas

Herod Antipas, a son of Herod the Great, ruled Galilee and Perea under Roman authority. The Gospels call him Herod the tetrarch and sometimes simply Herod. John the Baptist rebuked him for taking Herodias, his brother's wife, and for other evils. Antipas imprisoned John. At a banquet, Herodias' daughter danced before Herod and his guests; after an extravagant oath, she requested John's head at her mother's prompting. Though distressed, Herod ordered the execution. Antipas later heard reports about Jesus and wondered whether John had risen from the dead. Luke 13 records Jesus referring to Herod as 'that fox' when warned that Herod wanted to kill Him. During Jesus' Passion, Pilate learned Jesus was a Galilean and sent Him to Herod, who happened to be in Jerusalem. Herod questioned Jesus, hoped to see a sign, mocked Him when He gave no answer, and returned Him to Pilate.