Antipas

Herod Antipas was the youngest son of Herod the Great and tetrarch of Galilee and Perea from AD 6 - AD 39. He was the Herod that executed John the Baptist and ruled during the crucifixion of Jesus.

Succession
When Herod the Great died in 4 BC, his will stated that the elder brother Archelaus was to be king of Judea, Idumea, and Samaria while Antipas would rule Galilee and Perea with the title tetrarch. The other brother, Philip, would receive Gaulanitis, Batanaea, Trachonitis, and Auranitis. This all had to be approved by Emperor Augustus who excepted the will with the exception of Archelaus who would be called ethnarch instead of king.

Death of John the Baptist
Antipas married Phasaelis, the daughter of King Aretas IV of the Nabataean kingdom, early in his reign as tetrarch but during a visit to Rome he fell in love with his half-brother Philip's wife, Herodias. When Phasaelis discovered their love she fled to her father. Herodias divorced Philip in about the year 27 and married Antipas. John the Baptist publically spoke out about the marriage as it was against Jewish law. John stated that it was an incestuous marriage as Herodias was also Antipas' niece. Antipas was fearful that John would somehow start a rebellion so he had him arrested. On Antipas' birthday, during a feast, Herodias' daughter Salome danced for the Antipas and his guests. He was so pleased with the dancing that he promised with an oath to give her anything she desired, up to half his kingdom. Prompted by her mother, she asked for John the Baptist's head on a platter. Antipas was sorry but because of his oath he did as she requested and beheaded John the Baptist.

Trial of Jesus
When Jesus was arrested he was brought before the Sanhedrin who wanted to put Him to death. Unfortunately for them they did not have the authority under Roman law to carry out a death sentence. Therefor they brought Jesus to prefect of the Roman province of Judea, Pontius Pilate. After questioning Jesus, Pilot discovered that Jesus was a Galilean so he sent Him to Antipas who ruled over Galilee and happened to be in Jerusalem at the time for the Passover. Antipas was glad as he desired to meet Jesus for some time and was hoping to see a miracle. He questioned Jesus for quite a while but Jesus never answered him. Antipas and his soldiers mocked Him. He dressed Jesus in expensive clothing and sent Him back to Pilot. This was the moment Antipas and Pilate became friends, as they had not gotten along before then.