Herod the Great

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

Who is Herod the Great?

  • Herod the Great was a king of Judea who reigned from around 37 BCE to 4 BCE.
  • Of Edomite and Arab origin, he was appointed King of the Jews by the Roman Senate.
  • Father to several notable successors, including Herod Antipas who encountered Jesus Christ during His trial.

Strengths and Accomplishments:

  • Architectural Wonders: Commissioned and oversaw the expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem (often referred to as “Herod’s Temple”) and the building of the port city Caesarea Maritima.
  • Skilled Politician: Managed to maintain favor with the Roman Empire and successfully navigated the political intricacies of the time.
  • Maintained Peace: Managed to keep Judea relatively peaceful during his rule, albeit with harsh tactics.

Weaknesses and Mistakes:

  • Paranoia: Herod was known for his extreme paranoia, particularly in the latter part of his reign.
  • Family Strife: Ordered the executions of several family members, including his wife and three of his sons, due to suspicions of treachery.
  • Massacre of the Innocents: According to the Gospel of Matthew (2:16-18), Herod ordered the killing of all male infants in Bethlehem to prevent the rise of the prophesied King of the Jews (Jesus).

Lessons from His Life:

  • The Cost of Power: Herod’s life serves as a testament to the lengths some will go to retain power and how it can corrupt.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Despite his efforts to eliminate Jesus, Herod only ended up fulfilling prophecies from the Old Testament, underscoring the idea that divine plans cannot be thwarted.
  • Legacy Matters: While Herod did leave behind architectural marvels, his legacy is also marred by tales of cruelty and paranoia.

Key Verses (NIV version):

  • Matthew 2:1-3: “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.”
  • Matthew 2:16-18: “When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.”