Why was marrying brother's wife unlawful?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
M

MaryM

Well-known member
#1
Nov 25, 2022
506
301
63
#1
In Mark Chapter 6, verses 17 - 18 John the Baptist had told King Herod he couldn't marry his brother's wife.
How was that ever unlawful? Assuming his brother was dead.
Why was John interfering with the king's matters anyway? Seems a shame to die for such a matter. Just clarify please.
 
Simona1988

Simona1988

Active member
#2
Mar 15, 2021
197
139
43
#2
Herodias was married to Herod II with whom she had a daughter, Salomeea (the girl who danced at Herod Antipas's birthday party). Herodias divorced her husband (he was still alive) and married Herod Antipa, the stepbrother, because he was wealthier and inherited dominion over Judeea (unlike Herod II, who was removed from the succession).
 
M

MaryM

Well-known member
#3
Nov 25, 2022
506
301
63
#3
Simona1988 said:
Herodias was married to Herod II with whom she had a daughter, Salomeea (the girl who danced at Herod Antipas's birthday party). Herodias divorced her husband (he was still alive) and married Herod Antipa, the stepbrother, because he was wealthier and inherited dominion over Judeea (unlike Herod II, who was removed from the succession).
Click to expand...

Thankyou.
So was this illegal or immoral or both?
 
Simona1988

Simona1988

Active member
#4
Mar 15, 2021
197
139
43
#4
Yes, both. And everybody knew, but only Saint John the Baptist had the courage to criticise them openly.
 
Dino246

Dino246

Senior Member
#5
Jun 30, 2015
25,412
13,760
113
#5
MaryM said:
In Mark Chapter 6, verses 17 - 18 John the Baptist had told King Herod he couldn't marry his brother's wife.
How was that ever unlawful? Assuming his brother was dead.
Click to expand...
He wasn't dead. It's that simple.
 
M

MaryM

Well-known member
#7
Nov 25, 2022
506
301
63
#7
So was divorce not acceptable?
Forgive my curiosity.
 
Mem

Mem

Senior Member
#8
Sep 23, 2014
7,150
2,171
113
#8
MaryM said:
So was divorce not acceptable?
Forgive my curiosity.
Click to expand...
Leviticus 18
16You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would shame your brother.
18You must not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is still alive.
and with regard to Salome
17You must not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. You are not to marry her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter and have sexual relations with her. They are close relatives; it is depraved.
 
Mem

Mem

Senior Member
#9
Sep 23, 2014
7,150
2,171
113
#9
I not sure if any of these reasons were acceptable grounds for divorce, that is a good reason to divorce someone in order to do them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.