Herod the Great was the Roman-appointed king of Judea who ruled during the time of Jesus' birth.
Herod, also known as Herod the Great, was the Roman-appointed king of Judea during the time of Jesus' birth. He was an Idumean (Edomite) by birth and was appointed as king by the Roman Senate in 40 BC. Herod was known for his ambitious building projects, including the expansion and renovation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. In the Bible, Herod is portrayed as a cruel and paranoid ruler. When the wise men from the East inquired about the birth of the "king of the Jews," Herod saw this as a threat to his power (Mat.2.1-8). After the wise men failed to report back to him, Herod ordered the massacre of all male children aged two and under in Bethlehem and the surrounding region (Mat.2.16-18). This event, known as the "Massacre of the Innocents," reflects Herod's ruthless nature and his determination to eliminate any perceived threats to his rule. Herod's death is mentioned in Mat.2.19, which allowed Joseph, Mary, and Jesus to return from Egypt, where they had fled to escape Herod's wrath. (Mat.2; Luk.1.5).
Herod the Great and three sons
FamilyWidely acceptedThe NT Herods belong to one family. After Herod the Great died, Archelaus ruled Judea, Antipas became tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, and Philip tetrarch of the northeast. Matthew and Luke name three of the four; Josephus supplies the genealogy.
Sources: Scripture · Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews
Two births in the days of Herod
RoleStated in the textLuke opens with Zechariah serving in the days of Herod, king of Judea. Matthew places Jesus' birth in the same reign. So John the Baptist and Jesus are born under the same king whose family would later kill John and try Jesus.
Where the text shows it: Luke 1:5 — In the days of Herod king of JudeaMatthew 2:1 — Jesus born in the days of Herod the king Sources: Scripture
Agrippa I is a grandson of Herod the Great
FamilyWidely acceptedThe "Herod the king" of Acts 12 who killed James is Agrippa I, a grandson of Herod the Great according to Josephus. He briefly reunited the family territories under one rule.
Sources: Scripture · Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews
Herodias was also Antipas's niece
FamilyWidely acceptedJosephus says Herodias was a granddaughter of Herod the Great through Aristobulus, making her Antipas's niece as well as sister-in-law. The NT does not mention this.
Where the text shows it: Mark 6:17 — Herodias as his brother's wife Sources: Scripture · Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews
11 verses in 3 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s G2264