NEW TESTAMENT CHARACTERS.
FOUR HERODS.

HEROD “THE GREAT”.

When Herod realised that the Magi had outwitted him he was furious and ordered the massacre of all boys in Bethlehem of two or under.

The prophet had said:

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The massacre of baby boys for fear that one might pose a distant threat to his throne was exactly what anyone who knew Herod would expect of him. He had reigned like that for thirty years, and dying had still more bloodshed to inflict. It was also in keeping with his character that he would want to “make assurance double sure” by killing, not just the babies, but all the boys under three.

Within a few weeks, Herod died in agony of mind and body, as if hell could not wait for his death but came to get him in life. The only person he had ever loved was his wife Mariamne, and he had murdered her. On his death bed, tortured by irrational terrors and meaningless remorse, he still cried for her.

Physicians advised him to be carried to the baths of Callirhoe, east of Jordan, for treatment, but to no avail. He knew, and all Jerusalem knew that his end was near; so two honoured and loved Rabbis named Judas and Matthias led a band of followers to remove the traces of his idolatry. They pulled down the great gold eagle from over the temple gate, and were arrested by Herod’s guards.

Alas, the tyrant was not quite dead yet, and had the Rabbi’s and their followers burned alive. Then he had all the noblest citizens imprisoned, with orders that they were to be killed as soon as he himself was dead - so that his death would not be an occasion of unmixed rejoicing in the land. (His heirs had the sense not to carry this order out and the prisoners were actually released when Herod died.)

Five days before his death he executed his son Antipater (permission to do so having been just received from Rome).

He died at the end of March, or possibly beginning of April, BC 4.
(See Matthew chapter 2.)


HEROD ANTIPAS.
“But Herod the tetrarch, when John condemned his adultery with his brother Philip’s wife, and his other evils, added to those evils putting John in prison,” (Luke 3:19-20).

After Herod the Great’s death his kingdom was divided between his surviving sons. Philip (the youngest and best of them) ruled the north, including Caesarea-Philippi. Archelaus ruled the south but was soon removed for misconduct and replaced by a Roman governor.

Antipas ruled Galilee from BC 4 until AD 39. The Emperor never granted him the title of “king” although he requested it, and in AD 39 he was removed from office and banished. He divorced his first wife, the daughter of Aretas, King of Arabia - thus making an enemy - and married Herodias who appears to have been the stronger character.

He put John the Baptist in prison but went on listening to what he had to say.

It is often a characteristic of people whose lives seem fully committed to evil, that contact with goodness awakens a hunger for it. Herod’s reaction to John was his last hope. Every time he brought the fiery preacher from his cell, something inside him asserted that this was his chance. He could still turn his life round, salvation was there to be had. God had not written him off.

Come his anniversary (birthday or accession day) he threw a party, an orgy of drink and sex and revelry - but still the Baptist was in his cell like a hidden link with reality and hope and salvation. Herodias' daughter Salome danced (maybe danced is a euphemism) and pleased Herod. In front of his guests Herod pledged a drunken oath to give her any reward she asked “up to half the kingdom.”

There was not the slightest chance that his Roman overlords would have allowed him to give half his kingdom to young princess - or to anyone without Caesar’s permission. “Up to half the kingdom” was a figure of speech. She knew and the guests knew what kind of reward was on offer and it certainly did not include rights of life and death.

Herodias saw her chance and told her daughter to ask for John the Baptist’s head. And Herod who could break faith with anyone and everyone when political expediency demanded it, dared not lose face by denying a non-binding drunken oath in front of drunken guests.

With John the Baptist’s head, Herod Antipas cut off his own last chance of escaping damnation. Jesus never spoke to him. Even when hauled before Herod at His trial, Jesus remained silent. There was nothing to say. Herod’s story was finished.

Jesus defies Herod.
Jesus responded to the execution of the Baptist by moving south from the relative safety and comfort of Galilee to the danger of preaching close to Herod’s palace.

He was warned that Herod wanted to kill Him and sent back a defiant reply - “Tell that fox, I am here today, preaching and healing. I shall still be here tomorrow and the next day. I shall stay until I have finished.”

References
Baptist’s arrest and death Matthew 14:13 Mark 6:14-32 Luke 3:19-20
Warning to Jesus and reply Luke 13:31-33
Pilate sends Jesus to Herod Luke 23:6-15


HEROD AGRIPPA 1st.
Agrippa succeeded Philip to the northern area in AD 37 and when the Emperor banished Antipas in AD 39 Agrippa took over Galilee as well.

He had been a friend of Emperor Caligua but survived his death and was confirmed in office by Claudius.

In Acts 12 we read of his persecution of the church, James the brother of John was the first apostle to be martyred - put to the sword on Agrippa’s orders.

Next Agrippa had Peter arrested, and the guards executed when the prisoner escaped.

He began to extend his rule by a treaty with Tyre and Sidon, allowing the people to proclaim him as a god.

All his triumphs were short lived. At the age of only 34 he died a painful death, leaving the kingdom to his young son Agrippa 2nd.


AGRIPPA 2nd AND GOVERNOR FESTUS.
Perhaps it is not right to include along with other “opponents” because to the best of their ability they gave Paul a fair trial.

Festus took over the case, left behind by Felix and two years old. Reasonably enough from his point of view he started to hear it all over again, but Paul was wearied with delay and, impetuously perhaps, appealed to Caesar.

Festus was glad to be rid of the case and responded ominously “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go.”

But Festus was not rid of the case. He was supposed to send Caesar a report on it and so needed a hearing after all. For this he brought in Agrippa 2nd as consultant.

Acts 26 records Paul’s final defence. (We never hear his defence before Nero for the simple reason that it had not yet taken place when Luke finished writing Acts.)

Again Paul is more interested in winning his hearers’ souls than their verdict; so takes the opportunity of proclaiming Christ. Festus and Agrippa listened to their own private personal Gospel address delivered with all the passionate intensity of the apostle and containing the account of his conversion, still fresh in his mind after nearly thirty years.

“Therefore O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision!”

Festus responded, “Much learning has made you mad,” Agrippa, “You almost persuade me to be a Christian,” and both, “If he had not appealed to Caesar we might have set him free.”