John's Beheading at Machaerus

Machaerus is a fortified hilltop palace located near the shore of the Dead Sea. It is believed to be the location of the imprisonment and execution of John the Baptist.

The road to Machaerus winds up through a very barren mountainous area.  Amer joked that the engineers for the road were donkeys because the men said "just follow the donkey" and that's how they built the road.

The scriptures relate that while John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness in this area he angered Herodias, the wife of King Herod because he condemned their marriage as illegal.  (Herodias was the widow of King Herod's brother and Jewish law forbade such a marriage).  The king would have killed John immediately but he feared the wrath of the people.  Therefore he held John in Machaerus for two years.

One of these small caves was possibly where John the Baptist was imprisoned.

Later, King Herod went to Machaerus to celebrate his birthday.  Herod's stepdaughter, Salome, danced for him and because of the skill of her dance, he promised to grant her wish, even to half his kingdom.  At the urging of her mother, Herodias suggested that Salome ask for the head of John on a charger (platter).  King Herod felt that his promise must be kept, and therefore John was beheaded and the head was presented to Salome as she wished.  (Mark 6; Matthew 14)

The hilltop ruins of the palace where Salome's dance took place and the head of John the Baptist was brought in on a platter.  The Dead Sea can be seen in the distance.

During the time of the Jewish revolt in 66-70 AD, zealots fled to this palace.  The Roman army pursued them and built a dirt ramp leading up to the summit. When they gained access to the top they discovered that the zealots had all committed suicide.