Luke 3:19
But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τετράρχης,
the tetrarch
G5076
τετράρχης,
the tetrarch
Strong's:
G5076
Word #:
5 of 24
the ruler of a fourth part of a country ("tetrarch")
ὑπ'
by
G5259
ὑπ'
by
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
7 of 24
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
περὶ
for
G4012
περὶ
for
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φιλίππου
Philip's
G5376
φιλίππου
Philip's
Strong's:
G5376
Word #:
13 of 24
fond of horses; philippus, the name of four israelites
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφοῦ
brother
G80
ἀδελφοῦ
brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
15 of 24
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
περὶ
for
G4012
περὶ
for
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
18 of 24
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
ὧν
which
G3739
ὧν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
20 of 24
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐποίησεν
had done
G4160
ἐποίησεν
had done
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
21 of 24
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
πονηρῶν
the evils
G4190
πονηρῶν
the evils
Strong's:
G4190
Word #:
22 of 24
hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455
Historical Context
Herod Antipas divorced his wife to marry Herodias, his half-brother Philip's wife, violating Levitical law (Lev 18:16; 20:21). John's public denunciation threatened Herod's political stability and marriage. His bold rebuke cost him his life (Mark 6:14-29) but demonstrated that prophets must speak God's word regardless of consequences.
Questions for Reflection
- What does John's confronting powerful sin teach about prophetic courage?
- How should ministers respond when truth-telling threatens personal safety?
- Why is confronting sexual sin, even among the powerful, essential to faithful ministry?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Herod's response to John's rebuke demonstrates how conviction produces either repentance or hostility. John 'reproved' (Greek 'elegcho̱'—expose, convict) Herod for Herodias (his brother's wife) and 'all the evils which Herod had done.' The comprehensiveness ('all the evils') shows John's fearless confrontation of power. That rebuke specifically addressed Herodias indicates John's willingness to confront powerful sexual sin. Herod's eventual response—imprisonment and execution (v20)—shows how prophetic faithfulness often results in persecution. John's boldness models that true ministry confronts sin regardless of the sinner's power or position. Speaking truth to power demonstrates courage rooted in God's authority.