Herod
Herod: a name shared by several rulers of the Herodian dynasty and other references.
Herod may refer to:
- Herod the king (Herod the Great)
- Ruled when Jesus was born (Matthew 2:1); ordered the slaughter of children (Matthew 2:16); died while Joseph was in Egypt (Matthew 2:15, 2:19).
- Herod the tetrarch (Herod Antipas)
- Tetrarch of Galilee (Luke 3:1); imprisoned and beheaded John the Baptist (Matthew 14:3; Mark 6:16); heard of Jesus and desired to see him (Luke 9:7, 9:9); Jesus was sent to him by Pilate (Luke 23:7).
- Herodias
- Wife of Herod the tetrarch, formerly his brother Philip's wife (Matthew 14:3; Mark 6:17); her daughter danced at Herod's birthday (Matthew 14:6; Mark 6:22).
- Herod's steward
- Chuza, whose wife Joanna ministered to Jesus (Luke 8:3).
- Herod's leaven
- Jesus warned against the leaven of Herod (Mark 8:15).
Lore & Background
Members of the Herodian dynasty, named after Herod the Great, in chronological order: Herod the Great (born c. 74 BC, ruled 37–4 BC or 1 BC), client king of Judea who expanded the Second Temple in Jerusalem and, according to the New Testament, orders the Massacre of the Innocents; Herod II or Herod Philip I (c. 27 BC–33 AD), father of the Salome in Mark 6:21-29, did not rule over any territory; Herod Archelaus (23 BC–c. AD 18, ruled 4 BC–AD 6), ethnarch of Samaria, Judea, and Idumea; Herod Antipas (born 21 BC, ruled 4 BC–AD 39), tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea and in the New Testament orders the death of John the Baptist and mocks Jesus; Philip the Tetrarch, sometimes incorrectly called Herod Philip II, (born c. 20 BC, ruled 4 BC–AD 34), tetrarch of Iturea, Trachonitis, and Batanaea; Herod Agrippa (born c. 11 BC, ruled AD 41–44), client king of Judaea, called 'King Herod' or 'Herod' in Acts 12 of the New Testament; Herod of Chalcis (died AD 48), also known as Herod II or Herod V, king of Chalcis (r. AD 41–48); Herod Agrippa II (born AD 27, ruled 48–c. 92), ruled Chalcis and described in Acts 25 of the New Testament as 'King Agrippa' before whom Paul the Apostle defended himself.
Reader's Guide
The source does not explicitly state that Herod the tetrarch (Herod Antipas) is the same as the one who interacted with Jesus during his trial (Luke 23:7); however, the source lists Herod Antipas as tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea, and Luke 23:7 refers to Herod Antipas. The source confirms that Herod the Great (Matthew 2:1) was troubled by the news of Jesus' birth (Matthew 2:3) and ordered the massacre of infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16). The source describes Herod Antipas as son of Herod the Great (born 21 BC, ruled 4 BC–AD 39), consistent with Luke 3:1. The source confirms that Herod the tetrarch imprisoned and beheaded John the Baptist (Matthew 14:3; Mark 6:16).
Did You Know?
- Herod the Great ruled from 37–4 BC or 1 BC.
- Herod Antipas ordered the death of John the Baptist.
- Herod Agrippa is called 'King Herod' in Acts 12.
- Herod Agrippa II is called 'King Agrippa' in Acts 25.
Elsewhere in the Figures of Scripture universe
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