Who are all the Herods in the Bible?

Quick answer

There are four Herods mentioned in the Bible. The Herods teach us a lesson about how power can corrupt.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Herod dynasty included several rulers appointed by Rome. There are four Herods mentioned in the Bible: Herod the Great, Herod Antipas, Herod Agrippa, and Herod Agrippa II. Their actions demonstrate the dangers of unchecked power and ambition, from Herod the Great's ruthless massacres to Herod Agrippa's persecution of the early church. Their story emphasizes the importance of using authority responsibly and highlights the consequences of seeking power at the expense of biblical principles and morality.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

There are no Herods in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

The Herod dynasty consisted of several Idumean (or Edomite) rulers appointed by the Roman Empire to oversee Israel just before, during, and after Jesus' time on earth.
Herod the Great was the first and probably most well-known of the Herods. When the wise men came to worship Jesus and stopped to see Him, Herod was threatened by talk of a new king and ordered the killing of all male babies in the area (Matthew 2). Herod the Great, sometimes known as Herod the Ascalonite, obtained his position because his father Antipater was a friend of King Hyrcanus.
Herod divided his rule into fourths and, approved by the Roman senate, granted a part to each of his sons. One son, Herod Antipas, is referred to in Matthew 14:1 and Luke 3:1 as Herod the tetrarch. He ruled the area of Galilee, had John the Baptist beheaded (Matthew 14:1–11), and was part of Jesus' pre-crucifixion trials (Luke 23:6–16).
Later, James, a son of Zebedee and the brother of John, became the first apostle martyred. It was Herod the Great's grandson, Herod Agrippa, who was responsible (Acts 12). Herod Agrippa persecuted the church. Two of his daughters, Drusilla and Bernice, are mentioned in Acts 24 and 25.
Herod Agrippa's son, Herod Agrippa II is also part of the biblical story. This king listened to Paul while Paul was imprisoned (Acts 26) and declared that Paul had done nothing wrong (Acts 26:31–32). Herod Agrippa II declared that Paul could be freed except that Paul had appealed to Caesar and had to be sent to Rome. Agrippa II was the last Herod to rule, since the family had fallen out of favor with Rome.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The Herod dynasty presents a stark lesson on the dangers of unchecked power and ambition. From Herod the Great's ruthless actions driven by fear to Herod Antipas's unjust executions and involvement in Jesus' trial, and Herod Agrippa's persecution of the early church, we see how power can corrupt and lead to oppression. Even Herod Agrippa II, though more just, faced dilemmas due to political complexities. The Herods demonstrate the importance of using authority responsibly, with humility, justice, and morality, rather than for selfish gains. Their story serves as a reminder of the consequences of seeking power at the expense of godly ethics and humanity.

UNDERSTAND

There are four Herods mentioned in the Bible: Herod the Great, Herod Antipas, Herod Agrippa (Herod the Great's grandson), and Herod Agrippa II (son of Herod Agrippa).
Herod the Great ordered killing of male babies due to fear of a new king (Matthew 2).
Herod divided his rule among his sons; Herod Antipas ruled Galilee, where he had John the Baptist beheaded (Matthew 14:1–11).

REFLECT

How do you think power and ambition influenced the actions of the Herods in the Bible?
How do you see parallels between the misuse of power by the Herods and issues of power and authority in today's world?
Reflect on the consequences of seeking power at any cost. What lessons can we draw from the Herods' stories for our own lives?

ENGAGE

What truths about humanity does the Bible reveal based on the actions of the Herods, and what lessons can we learn from their stories?
How do you perceive the difference in the characters and actions of the various Herods mentioned in the Bible?
Considering the theme of power and corruption, what examples from history or current events resonate with the stories of the Herods, and what lessons can we derive from them?