Who was Philip the Tetrarch in the Bible?

Philip the Tetrarch was a son of Herod the Great and the brother of Herod Antipas. He is best known because his wife, Herodias, left him to marry his brother, an act condemned by John the Baptist (Matthew 14:3-4).

Why did John the Baptist condemn Herod Antipas and Herodias?

John condemned their marriage because Herodias was originally the wife of Herod's brother, Philip. This union violated Jewish law, as it was considered unlawful for a man to marry his brother's wife while the brother was still living (Mark 6:17-18).

What is the significance of Philip the Tetrarch in the Gospels?

His significance is primarily as the wronged husband in the scandal that led to John the Baptist's imprisonment and execution. This event sets the stage for Herod's guilt and fear when he later hears about Jesus's ministry (Luke 9:7).

Philip

New TestamentNew TestamentMaleBrother

Philip, the brother of Herod Antipas, whose wife Herodias was taken by Herod, leading to John the Baptist's condemnation of their marriage.

Philip

Biography

Philip was a son of Herod the Great and Cleopatra of Jerusalem, though the Philip referenced in connection with Herodias was likely Herod II (also called Herod Philip), another son of Herod the Great by Mariamne II. This Philip married Herodias, his niece, and they had a daughter named Salome. However, Herodias later left Philip to marry his half-brother Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. This illicit union provoked the fierce denunciation of John the Baptist, who publicly declared that it was unlawful for Antipas to have his brother's wife (Mark 6:17-18). Philip lived as a private citizen in Rome, largely overshadowed by the political ambitions of his wife and half-brother, yet his domestic situation became the catalyst for one of the New Testament's most dramatic confrontations.

Significance

Philip's role in the biblical narrative, though passive, proved pivotal to the unfolding of God's purposes. His marriage to Herodias and her subsequent departure to Herod Antipas set in motion the chain of events that led to John the Baptist's imprisonment and martyrdom (Matthew 14:3-12). Through this domestic upheaval, Scripture illustrates how personal sin in high places carries public consequences. Philip's story serves as the backdrop against which John's prophetic courage shines most brightly, demonstrating that God's messengers must speak truth to power regardless of the cost. The episode also underscores that no earthly authority stands above divine law.

Verse Appearances (3)

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources