John the Baptist was executed by order of King Herod Antipas, who ruled over Galilee and Perea from 4 BC to 39 AD. Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great, the ruler who ordered the massacre of the innocents in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus' birth.

John the Baptist had been vocal in his criticism of Herod Antipas' marriage to Herodias, who was the wife of Herod's brother Philip. According to the Bible, John denounced the marriage as unlawful, which angered Herodias. She held a grudge against John and saw an opportunity to have him killed when Herod promised her anything she wanted after her daughter's dance pleased him.

Herodias instructed her daughter to ask for John the Baptist's head on a platter, and Herod, bound by his oath, reluctantly ordered the execution. John was beheaded in prison, and his head was brought to Herodias' daughter as requested.

The story of John the Baptist's execution is recorded in the New Testament in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. It serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of speaking out against those in power and standing up for what is right.

For more information on the life and death of John the Baptist, you can visit Bible Gateway or Encyclopedia Britannica.

In conclusion, the execution of John the Baptist was ordered by King Herod Antipas at the behest of Herodias, his wife. John's bold stance against their unlawful marriage ultimately led to his tragic demise. The story serves as a reminder of the dangers of speaking truth to power and the sacrifices that may come with it.

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