17
For Herod had sent soldiers to arrest and imprison John as a favor to Herodias. She had been his brother Philip’s wife, but Herod had married her.
18
John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry your brother’s wife.”
19
So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod’s approval she was powerless,
20
for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.