Herod the Great (37 BC – 4 BC)

  • Matthew 2:1-8, 12-20 – Herod sought to kill Jesus in fear for his own power.
  • Herod the Great was constantly paranoid about losing power.
  • Herod was the great builder at the time, building fortresses (Herodium, Masada, etc.) and doing massive renovations on the temple and surrounding buildings.
  • John 2:19-21
  • Mark 13:1 – A few years later, the Roman army destroyed the temple as Jesus prophesied.
  • I John 2:15-17 – God always wins. The world will pass away.

Herod Antipas, the tetrarch (4 BC – 39 AD)

  • Mark 6:14-28 – Like his father, Herod was afraid of embarrassment before his dinner guests. He was also afraid of John the Baptist.
  • Son of Herod the Great.
  • Herod knew that there was power outside of him that he had no control over and it made him afraid.
  • Luke 23:7-12

Herod Agrippa I (39-44 AD)

  • Acts 12:1-3, 19, 21-23
  • Nephew of Herod Antipas, grandson of Herod the Great.
  • Matthew 10:28
  • Herod had power over James’ body, but it did not go beyond that.

Herod Agrippa II (48-93 AD)

  • Son of Herod Agrippa I.
  • Acts 25:23; 26:1-32

Final take-aways

  • Don’t be afraid of “power.”
    • Romans 13:1
  • No one outlasts King Jesus.
    • Revelation 1:5-6
  • Seize the truth!
    • Proverbs 23:23