Royal dynasty · from the birth of Jesus to Paul before Agrippa, around AD 60
The Herods in the Bible
The royal family that ruled in the time of Jesus and the first Christians. Name meaning: The name of a dynasty: the Bible simply says “Herod” for several different kings and tetrarchs, without explaining or numbering them
In the New Testament, “Herod” refers to several kings and princes of one family. King Herod tries to destroy the child Jesus (Matt 2), Herod the tetrarch has John the Baptist beheaded and later mocks Jesus (Mark 6; Luke 23), and another King Herod puts James to death and arrests Peter (Acts 12). Finally, King Agrippa and Berenice listen to Paul at Caesarea (Acts 25-26).
Key moments
- King Herod has the children of Bethlehem killed Matthew 2:16
- Archelaus reigns in place of his father Matthew 2:22
- Herod the tetrarch imprisons John the Baptist Luke 3:19–20
- John the Baptist is beheaded in prison Mark 6:27–28
- Jesus calls Herod “that fox” Luke 13:32
- Herod mocks Jesus before the cross Luke 23:11
- King Herod kills James and arrests Peter Acts 12:2–3
- Agrippa: “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” Acts 26:28
Strengths
- Power
- Cruelty
- Pride
- Curiosity without faith
Weaknesses
In the Herods, power has no fear of God: the king has children massacred (Matt 2:16), the tetrarch has John beheaded because of his oaths and his dinner guests (Mark 6:26-27), and the King Herod of Acts 12 lets himself be hailed as a god (Acts 12:22-23). Agrippa tells Paul, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian,” but the Bible never says he believed (Acts 26:28).
Lessons for today
- God sets limits on the power of the great ones of this world: King Herod dies for not “giving God the glory” (Acts 12:23).
- You can enjoy hearing the truth without obeying it: Herod listens to John gladly, then has him beheaded (Mark 6:20, 26-27).
- Curiosity is not faith: Herod wants to see Jesus and hopes for a miracle, but Jesus answers him nothing (Luke 23:8-9).
- The schemes of the powerful end up serving God’s purpose in spite of themselves: “whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done” (Acts 4:27-28).
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
People around The Herods
- John the Baptist — The prophet whom Herod the tetrarch imprisons, protects for a time, and then has beheaded
- Jesus — Sought by King Herod as a child, mocked by the tetrarch before the cross
- Pilate — Becomes Herod’s friend the day he sends Jesus to him (Luke 23:12)
- Peter — Arrested by the King Herod of Acts 12, freed by an angel
- Paul — Pleads his case before King Agrippa and Berenice at Caesarea (Acts 26)
- Herodias — Wife of Philip, then wife of Herod the tetrarch; she wants John dead
Stories with The Herods
Quiz: how well do you know The Herods?
Which king had the children two years old and under killed in Bethlehem?
Seeing that he had been outwitted by the wise men, “Herod the king” sent soldiers to kill all the children two years old and under in Bethlehem and its region. Matthew 2:16
Whom did Herod the tetrarch have beheaded in prison?
Herod sent an executioner with orders to bring John the Baptist’s head: the man went and beheaded him in the prison. Mark 6:27–28
What animal does Jesus use to describe Herod?
When Pharisees tell him that Herod wants to kill him, Jesus answers, “Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils…” Luke 13:31–32
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.