{"id":48888,"date":"2023-10-12T01:56:51","date_gmt":"2023-10-11T22:56:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=48888"},"modified":"2025-06-02T16:43:24","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T13:43:24","slug":"is-there-a-contradiction-in-the-accounts-of-herod-wanting-to-kill-john-the-baptist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2023\/10\/12\/is-there-a-contradiction-in-the-accounts-of-herod-wanting-to-kill-john-the-baptist\/","title":{"rendered":"Is There a Contradiction in the Accounts of Herod Wanting to Kill John the Baptist?"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Matthew 14:5 vs. Mark 6:20 )<\/em><\/p>\n

Question:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In Matthew 14:5, it says that Herod wanted to kill John the Baptist, but in Mark 6:20, we read that Herod feared John, respected him, and even protected him. Are these two Gospel accounts contradicting each other?<\/h3>\n

Matthew 14:3\u20135 (NIV):<\/strong><\/h3>\n

“Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip\u2019s wife,
\nfor John had been saying to him: ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’
\nHerod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This passage highlights Herod\u2019s initial reaction: he wanted<\/em> to kill John, but he was held back by fear of public backlash. The crowds revered John as a prophet, and Herod\u2019s political position could be threatened if he acted openly against such a respected figure.<\/p>\n

\n

Mark 6:17\u201320 (NIV):<\/strong><\/h3>\n

“For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip\u2019s wife, whom he had married.
\nFor John had been saying to Herod, \u2018It is not lawful for you to have your brother\u2019s wife.\u2019
\nSo Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to,
\nbecause Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here, we get more nuance. Herod initially imprisoned John at the urging of Herodias, but over time, he developed a measure of respect and even admiration for John. Though John\u2019s words disturbed him, Herod enjoyed listening to him. The passage indicates a change of heart at least temporarily.<\/p>\n

\n

Is There a Contradiction?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

No<\/strong>, these accounts are not contradictory<\/strong>, but complementary<\/strong>. The Gospels are presenting different moments in Herod’s evolving relationship with John:<\/p>\n