Antipas, a reed blown in the wind
An insight from a bit of historicity
In the 1st century, Herod Antipas was appointed by Caesar Augustus as Tetrarch (ruler of a quarter) of the regions of Galilee and Perea. This followed the death of his father Herod the Great in 4 BC . Antipas is mentioned several times in the New Testament, most significantly as the ruler who ordered the execution of John the Baptist and who interrogated Jesus during his trial. He ruled from 4 BC to 39 AD.
Early in his reign, John the Baptist rebuked him for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife. This rebuke led to the Baptist’s arrest and his subsequent execution at the end of a birthday party for Antipas. Following this Antipas’s popularity with the people plummeted.
Aside from this, Antipas in general lived marginally in line with Judaism. Antipas never tried to build any Roman temples or erect statues in the Jewish Temple area or even put his or the emperor’s face on a coin. (All of which his family did, causing outrage among the people.)
But the Coins that Antipas minted featured a Laurel wreath on one side and a reed on the other. (see image below)
By Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
In the gospels, Jesus makes references to Antipas at least twice. In Luke 7:24-25 Jesus compares him to a reed shaking in the wind, one who wears fine clothes and lives in luxurious palaces.
look afresh at what Jesus said in Luke 7: 24-25 knowing that Antipas used the symbol of a reed on his coinage
24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
Dr Titus Kennedy suggests in his book "Excavating the Evidence for Jesus" (1) that considering the "reed" symbol used by Antipas to represent himself, it becomes obvious that Jesus uses this symbol to describe him. A reed that is easily blown about by the wind, suggesting a man of little moral fortitude. One who wears fine clothes and lives in luxurious palaces and therefore doesn’t know hardship. When considered, especially in connection with John the Baptist, who else can it be that Jesus is referring to?
Then in Luke 13, we read that the Pharisees tell Jesus that Antipas was seeking to kill him, here Jesus refers to him as a fox, meaning devious, deceitful, sleekit, and crafty.
Luke 13:31-35
31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”
He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Being a person of “Fortitude” is the ability to choose to hold firm to what is right and true. Even when everything else in the world tries to convince us to abandon our beliefs and go with the flow. It is the ability to stand firm, even when faced with persecution, and suffering. It is the inner ability to stand firm just like John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. As believers in Christ, we find our fortitude and strength in Christ. It doesn’t flow naturally from us, rather it flows from our faith that is founded in Him. Through confidence in Christ, we find the strength to hold fast to what is right and true when our faith and beliefs are challenged. It is Christ who fills us with his fortitude when we accept Him as our Lord and saviour.
Remember that our saviour said in John 16:33
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Have a super day, and God bless,
Trev.
- Excavating the Evidence for Jesus, Titus Kennedy, Harvest House Publishers