αὐτὸς γὰρ Ἡρῴδης. This confirms the emphatic ἐγώ of Antipas; For it was Herod himself who sent and laid hold on cf. John 3:21.

ἐν φυλακῇ. Josephus (Ant. XVIII. Mark 6:4) tells us that this was Machaerus, near the N.E. corner of the Dead Sea, a fortress, palace, and prison all in one, like that of the Popes at Avignon. It was close to the wilderness of Judaea. Tristram, Discoveries East of the Dead Sea, ch. 14.

Φιλίππου, Not the son of Herod the Great by Cleopatra (Luke 3:1), but his son by Mariamne the daughter of Simon. It is possible that Mk is in error in calling him Philip (Joseph. Ant. XVIII. Mark 6:4); but, if so, it is of no moment. Antipas divorced the daughter of Aretas IV., king of Arabia Petraea, in order to marry Herodias, for which insult Aretas afterwards attacked and defeated Antipas; see on 2 Corinthians 11:32. Herodias was a granddaughter of Herod the Great, and therefore niece of both Antipas and Philip.

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Old Testament