ACC ~ Mark 6 v17b

THE REASON JOHN WAS IMPRISONED

EUSEBIUS: Not long after this, John the Baptist was beheaded by the younger Herod, [1] as stated in the Gospels. [2] Josephus also records the same fact, mentioning Herodias [3] by name, and stating that, although she was the wife of his brother, Herod made her his own wife after divorcing his former lawful wife, the daughter of Aretas, [4] king of Petra, and separating Herodias from her husband while he was still alive. It was on her account also that he killed John, and waged war with Aretas, because of the disgrace inflicted on the daughter of the latter. Josephus wrote that in this war, when they came to battle, Herod’s entire army was destroyed, and that he suffered this calamity on account of his crime against John. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 1.11. [5]

[1] Herod Antipas.

[2] Mt 14:1-12; Mk 6:17-29.

[3] HE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL | MARK 1:1-5

[4] The Aretas mentioned in 2 Cor 11:32.

[5] TLG 2018.002, 1.11.1.1-3.3; NPNF 2 1:97*.

Mk