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John the Baptist in prison

Salome dances, Herod Antipas beheads John.
Contributed by LUMO project
Story also available on our translated websites: Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, German, Hindi, Arabic, Simplified Chinese
1
Herod Antipas, the Tetrach (Ruler) of Galilee and Perea, is married to Phasaelis, daughter of King Aretas IV of Nabatea. However, when his wife finds out Herod is having an affair with Herodias, the wife of his halfbrother Philip, she flees back to Nabatea. – Slide 1
2
Herodias is pleased when Herod Antipas divorces his wife Phasaelis to marry her – even though they are breaking the Jewish laws on marriage. Herod Antipas is so powerful no-one dares to say that what he and Herodias are doing is wrong. – Slide 2
3
That is, apart from John the Baptist who openly speaks out that Herod’s marriage to Herodias is breaks God’s laws. – Slide 3
4
Herodias is furious to hear that John the Baptist is saying these things about them. So Herod Antipas gives orders for John the Baptist to be arrested. – Slide 4
5
John is put in a prison dungeon in the nearby fortress Herod Antipas had built at Machaerus near the Dead Sea. – Slide 5
6
Herod sometimes summons John to question him about his beliefs. – Slide 6
7
John explains what he has been preaching to Herod but his answers leave the powerful ruler puzzled. – Slide 7
8
Herod realises that John is a holy man of God and is fearful of putting him to death. – Slide 8
9
However his new wife Herodias holds a deep grudge against John and is scheming to have him executed. – Slide 9
10
Her opportunity comes on Herod Antipas’ birthday when he gives a banquet to his high officials, military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. – Slide 10
11
Salome, the daughter of Herodias enters the banquet room and dances for the dinner guests. – Slide 11
12
Her dance captivates the party guests. – Slide 12
13
Herod Antipas is so pleased with Salome’s dancing he says to her in front of everyone, ‘Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.’ Then he promises on oath, ‘Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.’ – Slide 13
14
Salome goes outside the room to speak to her mother. ‘What shall I ask for?’ – Slide 14
15
‘The head of John the Baptist,’ her mother replies. – Slide 15
16
Salome rushes back to Herod Antipas and demands, ‘I want you to give me, right now, the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ – Slide 16
17
Herod is really distressed, but knows he cannot break his rash promise in front of his dinner guests. He gives orders for John to be executed immediately. – Slide 17
18
John the Baptist, an innocent man, is executed in his prison cell for standing up for God’s laws. – Slide 18
19
The executioner brings John’s head on a platter to show the guests at the birthday party. Herod presents it to Salome who gives it to her mother. – Slide 19
20
When John’s disciples find out he has been executed they come to the fortress to collect his body and bury it. Jesus said of John, ‘Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.’ Matthew 11 v 11 – Slide 20
21
These images are taken from the short film about John the Baptist available at BigBookMedia.com. They are licensed exclusively to FreeBibleimages for free distribution. – Slide 21