the beheading of john the baptist

the beheading of john the baptist Latest

Jan 4 Blog

Herod the Great and the Herodian Family Tree

See a visualization of the Herodian family tree and key events in the New Testament related to members of the Herodian family.

Aerial view of the remains of a Byzantine-era monastery complex on a low hill at Al-Maghtas, Jordan. Photo: Jordan Tourism Board

Nov 29 Blog

Baptismal Site “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” Added to UNESCO World Heritage List

By: Robin Ngo

In 2015, UNESCO added the archaeological complex at Al-Maghtas, Jordan—called the Biblical “Bethany beyond the Jordan”—to its World Heritage List. Another tradition places the baptismal site on the west bank of the Jordan River—in Israel.

83-inch-tall marble sculpture by Donatello, 1415, for a niche in the facade of the Cathedral of Florence. Photo: Erich Lessing

Aug 9 Blog

Gospel of John Commentary: Who Wrote the Gospel of John and How Historical Is It?

By: BAS Staff

The Gospels, the first four books of the New Testament, tell the story of the life of Jesus. Yet only one—the Gospel of John—claims to be an eyewitness account, the testimony of the unnamed “disciple whom Jesus loved.”

Jun 15 Blog

Machaerus: Beyond the Beheading of John the Baptist

By: BAS Staff

According to the Gospels, Herod Antipas had John the Baptist imprisoned and killed at the request of the beautiful Salome. Josephus locates the event at Machaerus. The archaeological finds paint a clear picture of this magnificent site’s colorful but bloody history.

Feb 11 Blog

Herod Antipas in the Bible and Beyond

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

Who was Herod Antipas? This son and successor of Herod the Great ruled Galilee when Jesus lived, and he participated in the trial of Jesus. In BAR, Morten Hørning Jensen examines what archaeology can tell us about this not-so-great Herod.

Oct 22 Blog

The Masada Siege

By: Robin Ngo

What do we know about the Roman siege of Masada? We must consider both the account given by Josephus and the surviving archaeological evidence in order to reconstruct what happened.

Aug 28 Blog

Anastylosis at Machaerus, Where John the Baptist Was Beheaded

By: Megan Sauter

Győző Vörös details the restoration work taking place at Machaerus—giving archaeological context to the New Testament episode featuring Princess Salome and John the Baptist.

Aug 13 Blog

King Herod’s Ritual Bath at Machaerus

By: Robin Ngo

Several mikva’ot (Jewish ritual baths) have been uncovered at Machaerus, the palace-fortress on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea where Salome danced and John the Baptist was beheaded. Archaeologist Győző Vörös takes readers on a journey through past and current archaeological excavations that have resulted in the discovery of these ritual baths.

Mar 1 Blog

Herod the Great: Friend of the Romans and Parthians?

By: Jason M. Schlude

Jason M. Schlude explores how King Herod manipulated his position between two regional powers.

Feb 13 Blog

Herod the Great—The King’s Final Journey

By: Suzanne F. Singer

Herod the Great—The King’s Final Journey reveals the Herodian world and the end of the illustrious king’s life, as brought to light by the late archaeologist Ehud Netzer.

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