Herod Antipas and Jesus of Nazareth

Historicity and Significance of a Hostile Relationship

Abstract

Although the relationship between Jesus and Herod Antipas in the Synoptic Gospels is rather obscure, there are several indications that
the tetrarch was an active enemy of the Galilean preacher, from whom Jesus was compelled to flee. Along with others, this fact betrays the sociopolitical implications of Jesus’ message. Quite a few scholars, however, have tried to minimize this conclusion. The present article surveys the Gospel evidence concerning the relations between Jesus and Antipas, examines some implausible claims in modern scholarship and provides a hypothesis about the role played by Antipas in the course of events leading to Jesus’crucifixion.