John Arrested as He Journeys South 

When Jesus went north to Galilee after his forty days in the hills, John the Baptist felt that he should go south, back towards the place where he had begun his journey. About one-fourth of John’s closest disciples had followed Jesus to Galilee, but the remainder of his followers went with John. John became increasingly depressed and lonely; he felt that his mission was coming to an end, even though he continued to preach and baptize.

During his travel south, John made an attack on Herod Antipas, criticizing him for taking the wife of another man. And in fact, the remainder of his speeches were less pointed towards repentance of the common people, but more against the corruption of the rulers.

When Herod caught wind of John’s doings, he had him arrested and placed in prison, fearing rebellion of the people against his authority and as punishment for criticizing Herod’s domestic arrangements.

After Jesus returned from his forty-day sojourn in the hills, he went north back into Galilee. About one-fourth of John’s disciples decided to follow Jesus. But John felt that he was being led to go south, towards the place where he had begun his preaching tour. So, on Sunday, March 3, CE, John, with the remainder of his disciples, left to travel south. Along the way, John continued to preach and baptize. But the tenor of his preaching had changed since baptizing Jesus. He felt that his mission was coming to an end; that the coming kingdom was no longer his responsibility. And this realization caused John to feel dispirited and lonely. Nevertheless, he persevered as he traveled. At one of the towns on his journey, John made his famous attack on Herod Antipas, who had taken the wife of another man.

By June of this year, John had returned to the place where he had started over a year before – the Bethany ford. No longer was John the firebrand preacher that he had been at the beginning; his teaching was now centered on mercy for the common man. But his vehemence showed in an increased condemnation of the corruption of the political and religious rulers.

John was preaching in the domain of Herod Antipas by this time, and Herod became worried about the things that John was saying. He feared that John might provoke a rebellion, and he also deeply resented the fact that John was so critical of his domestic arrangements. Herod’s response was to put John in prison. And so, early on the morning of June 12, CE, Herod sent his agents to arrest John.

By the time a few weeks had passed, and John had not been released, John’s remaining disciples dispersed into Palestine. Many of them went to Galilee to join Jesus and his followers.