Herod was a nasty man, known for his exploits and indiscretions. His resume of evil was rather long. But he was about to add to them all–he locked up and imprisoned the man of God. Why? Because John the Baptist was not a coward. He told Herod the truth and called him to repent.

Herod had a half brother named Philip who was married to a woman named Herodias. Philip was another ruler and tetrarch. And Herodias was both his wife and niece.

Herod Antipas himself had a wife, the daughter of an Arabian King. Obviously a political alliance. But Antipas really did not want his wife, he wanted his brother’s wife.

It is likely that there was an illicit affair, but for whatever reason, Herodias divorced Philip and married Herod Antipas. This was sinful in the eyes of God and John the Baptist called him out. It was not moral or lawful to have your brother’s wife, even if the divorce was completed.

Herod did not want the truth. He wanted his lust.

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.

He hadn’t even killed him yet. Yet his locking him was an act of evil.

It would prove to be the end of John the Baptist in the near future. But John knew what he was doing, yet he cared for the kingdom and the souls of men greater than his own life. He stood firm.

Would that we all stand firm.