Herod beheaded John without Roman approval

[tonychanyt]

Herod Antipas imprisoned John the Baptist because John criticized Herod’s marriage to Herodias, the former wife of his brother Philip. This marriage was deemed unlawful under Jewish law, and John’s public condemnation presented a political and religious challenge to Herod’s rule.

The execution of John occurred during a banquet when Herodias’ daughter danced for Herod. Pleased with her performance, Herod promised her anything she desired. Prompted by her mother, she asked for John’s head on a platter (Mt 14:8). Despite his distress, Herod complied to save face before his guests.

The decision to execute John seemed to have been made hastily and impulsively, motivated by Herod’s desire to maintain his reputation and honor in front of his court. The biblical account does not explicitly mention Herod seeking Roman approval for this act.

Was Herod allowed to execute someone without Rome's explicit approval?

The high priest had to ask Pilate to execute Jesus because he lacked the authority to carry out capital punishment. However, Herod was a tetrarch with limited authority to execute individuals within his jurisdiction, especially if they were perceived as threats to his rule. As long as he did not go too far, Rome would not investigate him.

Josephus gave a different reason for executing John. He wrote:

118 Now when [many] others came in crowds about [John], for they were very greatly moved [or pleased] by hearing his words, Herod, who feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion (for they seemed ready to do any thing he should advise) thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties, by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it would be too late. 119 Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod’s suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I before mentioned, and was there put to death.

John was becoming too popular for Herod's liking. Herod feared that John might incite a rebellion, so he executed him preemptively. There was no mention of Rome's reaction to this capital punishment. As a tetrarch, he had the authority to carry out executions.

 

[Hoping2]

Herod Antipas imprisoned John the Baptist because John criticized Herod’s marriage to Herodias, the former wife of his brother Philip. This marriage was deemed unlawful under Jewish law, and John’s public condemnation presented a political and religious challenge to Herod’s rule.

The execution of John occurred during a banquet when Herodias’ daughter danced for Herod. Pleased with her performance, Herod promised her anything she desired. Prompted by her mother, she asked for John’s head on a platter (Mt 14:8). Despite his distress, Herod complied to save face before his guests.

The decision to execute John seemed to have been made hastily and impulsively, motivated by Herod’s desire to maintain his reputation and honor in front of his court. The biblical account does not explicitly mention Herod seeking Roman approval for this act.

Was Herod allowed to execute someone without Rome's explicit approval?

The high priest had to ask Pilate to execute Jesus because he lacked the authority to carry out capital punishment. However, Herod was a tetrarch with limited authority to execute individuals within his jurisdiction, especially if they were perceived as threats to his rule. As long as he did not go too far, Rome would not investigate him.

Josephus gave a different reason for executing John. He wrote:


John was becoming too popular for Herod's liking. Herod feared that John might incite a rebellion, so he executed him preemptively. There was no mention of Rome's reaction to this capital punishment. As a tetrarch, he had the authority to carry out executions.

I don't buy that explanation.
Herod was Rome, in his authority and deed.

 

[timf]

Was Herod allowed to execute someone without Rome's explicit approval?

Possibly. Pilate sent Jesus to Herod for judgement, so possibly Herod did have that authority..

One should be a little skeptical with Josephus. I would go with the capricious motive the bible renders more than the calculating political master Josephus seems to describe. Besides Josephus wrote several decades after the events.