Herod the Great is mentioned in Matthew 2:1-22; Luke 1:5

Herod the Great: The King Who Felt Threatened by a Child

When we think about the Christmas story, we often picture angels, shepherds, and the wise men bringing gifts to baby Jesus. But there’s another character in the story who played a dark and troubling role—Herod the Great. He was a powerful king, yet he was so afraid of losing his throne that he saw even a baby as a threat.

Let’s take a closer look at who Herod was, what he did, and what we can learn from his story.

Who Was Herod the Great?

Herod the Great was the ruler of Judea (the area where Jesus was born) at the time of Jesus’ birth. The Romans had put him in charge, and he ruled with their support. He wasn’t born Jewish, but he governed over the Jewish people.

Herod was known for his building skills. He rebuilt and expanded the temple in Jerusalem, built palaces, and even created cities. Some people admired his projects, but many feared him because of his harsh and often violent leadership. Herod was always worried that someone would try to take his throne. He even had some of his own family members killed because he thought they were plotting against him.

Herod in the New Testament

The Wise Men Visit (Matthew 2:1–12)

One of the most well-known parts of Herod’s story comes when the wise men (also called magi) came to Jerusalem. They were looking for the newborn “King of the Jews.” This immediately got Herod’s attention—and not in a good way. He was the king, and the idea of another “king” being born made him nervous.

Herod met with the wise men and told them to let him know where the baby was so he could also “worship” Him. But Herod had no intention of worshiping Jesus—he wanted to get rid of Him. Thankfully, the wise men were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they went home a different way.

The Tragic Order (Matthew 2:13–18)

When Herod realized the wise men had outsmarted him, he became furious. He gave a terrible order: to kill all the baby boys in Bethlehem who were two years old and younger. This horrible act is known as the Slaughter of the Innocents.

But God had already warned Joseph in a dream to escape, so Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus fled to Egypt and stayed there until Herod died.

What Is Herod’s Legacy?

Herod is remembered for two things: his grand buildings and his fear-driven cruelty. He ruled with an iron fist and let his fear of losing power lead him to do terrible things.

Even though Herod had power, riches, and fame, he didn’t have peace. He was always looking over his shoulder, worried someone would take his place. That fear eventually led him to commit one of the most heartbreaking acts recorded in the Bible.

Lessons from Herod’s Life

  • Power without peace leads to fear. Herod had everything people dream of—except peace in his heart.
  • Pride and fear can lead us to make harmful choices. Herod couldn’t stand the idea of someone else being king, even if that person was a child.
  • God’s plan always wins. No matter what Herod tried, he couldn’t stop what God was doing through Jesus.
  • Jesus challenges human power. From the very beginning, Jesus’ presence reminded the world that true power comes from God, not from thrones or crowns.

Conclusion

Herod the Great is a warning for all of us. He shows us what can happen when we let fear, pride, and the hunger for control take over. In contrast, Jesus—the baby Herod tried to destroy—came to bring peace, hope, and a new kind of kingdom.

Herod’s story may be dark, but it reminds us that even the strongest human efforts can’t stop God’s light from shining through.