The Story of King Herod (the Great)

Bibliaon Team

Created and reviewed by our editors

Herod the Great was a king who ruled Judea under the Roman Empire during the time of Jesus' birth. He is mainly remembered for the episode of the Massacre of the Innocents. Upon hearing that the "King of the Jews" had been born, he felt threatened and, in an attempt to kill Jesus, ordered the death of all boys in Bethlehem up to two years old.

Although Herod was the king of Judea, he was not completely Jewish. He descended from a family of Idumea, a neighboring people to the Jews. However, his power came from the Romans, who appointed him as king. Because of this, many Jews saw him as a foreigner and a ruler imposed by the Romans.

Herod was known for his great works, including the reconstruction of the Jerusalem Temple, which made him popular. However, he was very cruel, having ordered the execution of several of his own family members, including some of his sons, out of fear that they might try to take his throne.

A representation of King Herod (the Great)

Herod died around 4 B.C. from a severe illness, which many historians believe was some type of infection or renal failure. His death occurred shortly after the birth of Jesus, and his kingdom was divided among his sons.

In addition to Herod the Great, other members of his family also ruled. His son Herod Antipas was involved in the trial of Jesus and was also responsible for the imprisonment and beheading of John the Baptist.

There were several rulers named Herod, but the two most famous in the Bible are Herod the Great (who tried to kill the baby Jesus) and Herod Antipas (who was involved in the crucifixion of Jesus).

Key events related to Herod

The main events related to Herod told in the Bible include:

The visit of the Magi and the Massacre of the Innocents: After the birth of Jesus, Magi from the East arrived in Jerusalem searching for the “king of the Jews.” Herod asked the Magi to inform him about Jesus, planning to kill him. After receiving a warning in a dream, the Magi did not return, and Herod ordered the massacre of all boys under two years old in Bethlehem.
The flight of Jesus to Egypt: In a dream, an angel warned Joseph to flee with Mary and the baby Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath. They stayed in Egypt until Herod’s death.
The death of Herod: After Herod’s death, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, informing him that it was safe to return, as those who sought to kill the child had died. The family then returned to the land of Israel, but because of the fear of Archelaus, Herod’s son, they stayed in Nazareth in Galilee.

Bible Study on Herod

Herod Attempts to Kill the Child Jesus

After the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, some magi from the East, guided by a star, arrived in Jerusalem seeking the “king of the Jews” who had been born (Matthew 2:1-2). When King Herod heard this, he was alarmed, fearing a threat to his throne.

Herod summoned the chief priests and scribes to consult the prophecies about the birthplace of the Messiah. They informed him that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:3-6). Herod then called the magi and asked them to report back to him about the child’s location, claiming that he also wanted to worship Him.

However, the magi were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. Enraged, Herod ordered the massacre of all children under two years old in Bethlehem and its surrounding areas, based on the age the magi had mentioned. This cruel act became known as the Massacre of the Innocents, fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah about the lament and mourning of Rachel, who wept for her children (Matthew 2:17-18).

Fleeing from Herod: Mary, Joseph, and Jesus Go to Egypt

After Herod ordered the massacre, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to flee to Egypt with Mary and the child Jesus to escape the threat (Matthew 2:13). Joseph got up during the night, took Mary and Jesus, and left for Egypt, where they remained until Herod’s death (Matthew 2:14-15).

This flight fulfilled the prophecy that said the Lord would call His Son out of Egypt (Matthew 2:15). After Herod’s death, an angel appeared to Joseph again in a dream, telling him it was safe to return to Israel. So, the family returned and settled in Nazareth, fulfilling the Scriptures that said Jesus would be called a Nazarene (Matthew 2:19-23).

The Death of Herod and Jesus’ Return to Israel

After Herod’s death, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, informing him that it was safe to return to Israel with Mary and Jesus (Matthew 2:19-20). Herod had died, but Joseph was afraid to return to Judea because of Herod’s son Archelaus, who ruled the region.

After receiving another warning in a dream, Joseph settled in the city of Nazareth in Galilee (Matthew 2:21-23). This return fulfilled the prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene. Thus, Jesus grew up in Nazareth, far from the threats of the past, beginning His journey under God’s protection.

The Children of Herod

Herod the Great had many children with several wives. Here is a list of his main known children:

Archelaus: Son of Herod and Malthace, ruled Judea, Samaria, and Idumea after his father’s death.
Herod Antipas: Son of Herod and Malthace, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. He participated in the trial of Jesus.
Philip the Tetrarch: Son of Herod and Cleopatra of Jerusalem, ruled Iturea and Trachonitis.
Herod Philip (not to be confused with Philip the Tetrarch): Son of Herod and Mariamne II, married to Herodias, who later married Herod Antipas.
Salome: Daughter of Herod and Elpis, wife of Aristobulus IV.
Aristobulus IV: Son of Herod and Mariamne I, grandfather of Herod Agrippa I.
Alexander: Son of Herod and Mariamne I, executed by his father.
Antipater: Son of Herod and Doris, also executed by Herod.

Among all his children, the one who played the most prominent role in the Bible was Herod Antipas. He served as the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea and was responsible for the imprisonment and beheading of John the Baptist.

During the trial of Jesus, Pontius Pilate sent Jesus to Herod Antipas, since Jesus was from Galilee, a region under Antipas’ jurisdiction. Herod Antipas questioned Jesus but did not condemn Him. He then sent Jesus back to Pilate, who ultimately ordered His crucifixion.