but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 19. See in Saint Mark 6:17. The wife of his brother (Philip.) The Greek adds the name, and he is also named in Saint Mark; but he is a different person from the tetrarch, mentioned in chapter 3 verse 1. V.—It was not at this time that John was cast into prison; but, as Saint John relates, after our Saviour had begun to work miracles, and after his baptism. Saint Luke anticipates this event, in order to describe more strongly the malice of Herod; who, whilst he saw multitudes flocking to hear the words of John, his own soldiers believing, and all the people receiving baptism, still could despise the Baptist, could imprison him, and put him to death. Ven. Bede.
a tetrarch is one of four governors of a province
TR reads “brother Philip’s” instead of “brother’s”