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The Bible Unplugged Podcast
Herod Was Not a Nice Man
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Herod Was Not a Nice Man

As evil as Herod was, God used him to fulfill his will

TBU 14- Advent Unplugged- Herod

December 10, 2024
J. Brent Eaton, M.Div.

Welcome

• Hi. I’m Brent and this is The Bible Unplugged podcast.

• We’re continuing the series “Advent Unplugged” series by discussing Herod’s role in the life of Jesus

• There are some important details we miss if we don’t know the history behind the New Testament.

When Gospels Collide ad

• Let you know about one of my books that can be helpful as you follow along with the Advent Unplugged.

• When Gospels Collide combines the four Gospels into one continuous narrative. As you read through the book you get the details from all of the sources without having to flip back and forth through different books of the Bible.

• This may be especially helpful in this series since the complete story of Jesus’s birth is in more than one gospel

• When Gospels Collide is available on Amazon. Here is a link: When Gospels Collide

Who was Herod

• Many people think that there was one Bible character named Herod. Actually, there are seven mentioned in the New Testament. When you realize that there was more than one Herod, the events in the life of Jesus make more sense. A summary of the different Herods is at the end of the show notes.

• This particular Herod is referred to as Herod the Great.

• Name in Hebrew means- wanderer, fugitive, trembler, coward

• Was about 70 years old when Jesus was born

• Was raised Jewish, but family claimed Jewish heritage for political purposes

• Was politically astute and well connected with Roman leaders

• Mark Antony appointed Herod to office

• Cleopatra intervened on behalf of Herod’s mother to force political appointments

• He backed Antony to be Caesar, but Octavian won the job. Herod schmoozed his way into Octavian’s good graces

• Created some of the greatest constructions of his time

• Rebuilt the Temple- Western Wall still stands today

• Built the port of Caesarea Maritima using, what was then, “high tech” methods of underwater construction. Some of the cement mixtures used in that construction are still used today

• Forced high taxes on his people to pay for projects and bribes

• Was generally hated by anyone Jewish

• Pharisees and Sadducees hated him for not rebuilding the Temple properly.

• Except for foreign Jews he appointed to office

• Was ruthless to the point of insanity

• Had three of his sons and his favorite of his 9 wives, Mariamne 1, killed along with numerous other family members. It’s ironic that Herod loved her so much that he married another woman by the same name.

• Augustus- “It is better to be Herod’s pig than his son”

• Ordered a host of Jewish dignitaries be killed when Herod died so he there would be genuine grief at his death. Ordered not carried out

• Multiple revolts after Herod’s death encouraged anti-Roman unrest. His son, Herod Antipas, was so ineffective that Rome removed him from power and installed Roman Governors. Pontius Pilate was one of those governors.

Herod and Jesus

Matthew 2:2- "Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.

• Wise men show up to ask Herod where the new King of the Jews was born

• Triggered Herod’s paranoia

• Why did Herod take the message seriously?

• He was paranoid

• Foreigners, especially wealthy ones, were sources of income and influence

• He wanted to be worshipped, but failed miserably

Matthew 2:3- When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Troubled- [G5015]- to shake what should remain still. Herod’s name means trembler

• All Jerusalem with him- they were afraid of Herod’s response

Matthew 2:4-5- Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea…

• Gathered the leaders- they may have feared mass execution

• Herod made a fool of himself by asking a question a Jewish child knew the answer to

• Micah 5:2- Bethlehem prophesied as Messiah’s birthplace

Matthew 2:7-8- Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.“

• Only purpose was to target this child

• Secretly- did not want the Jewish leaders to protect the child

• The wise men went to worship Jesus, but warned in a dream not to go back to Herod

• Joseph warned to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt

• Herod had no positive influence in Egypt

Matthew 2:16- Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men.

• When he saw that he was mocked by the wise men- Herod believed they were out to humiliate him

• Killed all male children in Bethlehem two and under

• Based this on the timetable given to him by the wise men

• “Two and under”-

• Hebrews had no understanding of zero

• Everyone was born at one, not zero

• How many babies were murdered”

• Coptic church liturgy says 144,000

• But, how many babies were there in this small hamlet?

• No more than 6-8 babies were killed

Matthew 2:16-17- Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn't be comforted, because they are no more."

• Fulfillment of prophecy- Jeremiah 31:15

• Rama referred to a high or lofty elevation- several places around Jerusalem had this name

• Rachel, one of Jacob’s wifes- was buried near Bethlehem

Herod’s death

• Herod reaped what he sowed

• He suffered from intractable itching and was in great pain physically and mentally

• Likely had: arteriosclerosis, kidney failure, gangrene.

• Attempted suicide at least once. He asked for an apple and a knife intending to kill himself, but a family member prevented it. Whether it was out of respect for the life of a king or to make him suffer longer we don’t know.

• Died soon after Joseph, Mary, and Jesus went to Egypt

What we learn from this

• Motives mean things- Herod did not have the Jewish people’s interest at heart

• God can use evil people to fulfill His will, even someone as wicked as Herod

• Romans 13:1-7. God establishes and appoints civil authorities. We may not like the leadership we have but God has a plan behind the way government operates.

• From Herod’s demise we learn that we get out of life what put into it.

What do we do with this

• Think about the people in your life who cause you pain and difficulty. What motivates them to be that way? How have you responded in the past. Love is a greater influence on others than fear and hatred. 1 John 4:18- There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. Ask God to help you develop love for those people and see how your relationships change.

• We need to be discerning in who we trust and follow. God has appointed our leaders but that does not mean we have to agree with them.

• We reap what we sow, but forgiveness and repentance change your future. It is never too late for love to lead you closer to God’s will for your life.

The conclusion

• Well, the music in the background means I have run out of things to say, but I’ll have more later.

• I hope this has been helpful. If so, give this podcast a high rating and share it with others.

• Join in the next episode when we talk about Anna and Simeon. They may have been two of the lesser known characters in the Christmas story, but their messages were meaningful.

• My prayer for you is that you will be sensitive to how God leads you to a greater life of love

• Have a blessed week

The disclaimers

• Just to let you know

• All opinions are my own. If you agree, keep listening. If you don’t… keep listening, you may learn something

• All Bible quotations come from the World English Bible which is a public domain work

• Our show theme song is “Awesome Call” by Kevin MacLeod and is available under a Creative Commons license

• The content of this podcast is copyrighted 2024 by J. Brent Eaton

• This has been a Power Love and Miracles production

TBU 14- Advent Unplugged- Herod

December 10, 2024
J. Brent Eaton, M.Div.

Welcome

• Hi. I’m Brent and this is The Bible Unplugged podcast.

• We’re continuing the series “Advent Unplugged” series by discussing Herod’s role in the life of Jesus

• There are some important details we miss if we don’t know the history behind the New Testament.

When Gospels Collide ad

• Let you know about one of my books that can be helpful as you follow along with the Advent Unplugged.

• When Gospels Collide combines the four Gospels into one continuous narrative. As you read through the book you get the details from all of the sources without having to flip back and forth through different books of the Bible.

• This may be especially helpful in this series since the complete story of Jesus’s birth is in more than one gospel

• When Gospels Collide is available on Amazon. Here is a link: When Gospels Collide

Who was Herod

• Many people think that there was one Bible character named Herod. Actually, there are seven mentioned in the New Testament. When you realize that there was more than one Herod, the events in the life of Jesus make more sense. There is a link in the show notes to a list of the important members of the Herod family.

• This particular Herod is referred to as Herod the Great.

• Name in Hebrew means- wanderer, fugitive, trembler, coward

• Was about 70 years old when Jesus was born

• Was raised Jewish, but family claimed Jewish heritage for political purposes

• Was politically astute and well connected with Roman leaders

• Mark Antony appointed Herod to office

• Cleopatra intervened on behalf of Herod’s mother to force political appointments

• He backed Antony to be Caesar, but Octavian won the job. Herod schmoozed his way into Octavian’s good graces

• Created some of the greatest constructions of his time

• Rebuilt the Temple- Western Wall still stands today

• Built the port of Caesarea Maritima using, what was then, “high tech” methods of underwater construction. Some of the cement mixtures used in that construction are still used today

• Forced high taxes on his people to pay for projects and bribes

• Was generally hated by anyone Jewish

• Pharisees and Sadducees hated him for not rebuilding the Temple properly.

• Except for foreign Jews he appointed to office

• Was ruthless to the point of insanity

• Had three of his sons and his favorite of his 9 wives, Mariamne 1, killed along with numerous other family members. It’s ironic that Herod loved her so much that he married another woman by the same name.

• Augustus- “It is better to be Herod’s pig than his son”

• Ordered a host of Jewish dignitaries be killed when Herod died so he there would be genuine grief at his death. Ordered not carried out

• Multiple revolts after Herod’s death encouraged anti-Roman unrest. His son, Herod Antipas, was so ineffective that Rome removed him from power and installed Roman Governors. Pontius Pilate was one of those governors.

Herod and Jesus

Matthew 2:2- "Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.

• Wise men show up to ask Herod where the new King of the Jews was born

• Triggered Herod’s paranoia

• Why did Herod take the message seriously?

• He was paranoid

• Foreigners, especially wealthy ones, were sources of income and influence

• He wanted to be worshipped, but failed miserably

Matthew 2:3- When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Troubled- [G5015]- to shake what should remain still. Herod’s name means trembler

• All Jerusalem with him- they were afraid of Herod’s response

Matthew 2:4-5- Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea…

• Gathered the leaders- they may have feared mass execution

• Herod made a fool of himself by asking a question a Jewish child knew the answer to

• Micah 5:2- Bethlehem prophesied as Messiah’s birthplace

Matthew 2:7-8- Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.“

• Only purpose was to target this child

• Secretly- did not want the Jewish leaders to protect the child

• The wise men went to worship Jesus, but warned in a dream not to go back to Herod

• Joseph warned to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt

• Herod had no positive influence in Egypt

Matthew 2:16- Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men.

• When he saw that he was mocked by the wise men- Herod believed they were out to humiliate him

• Killed all male children in Bethlehem two and under

• Based this on the timetable given to him by the wise men

• “Two and under”-

• Hebrews had no understanding of zero

• Everyone was born at one, not zero

• How many babies were murdered”

• Coptic church liturgy says 144,000

• But, how many babies were there in this small hamlet?

• No more than 6-8 babies were killed

Matthew 2:16-17- Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn't be comforted, because they are no more."

• Fulfillment of prophecy- Jeremiah 31:15

• Rama referred to a high or lofty elevation- several places around Jerusalem had this name

• Rachel, one of Jacob’s wifes- was buried near Bethlehem

Herod’s death

• Herod reaped what he sowed

• He suffered from intractable itching and was in great pain physically and mentally

• Likely had: arteriosclerosis, kidney failure, gangrene.

• Attempted suicide at least once. He asked for an apple and a knife intending to kill himself, but a family member prevented it. Whether it was out of respect for the life of a king or to make him suffer longer we don’t know.

• Died soon after Joseph, Mary, and Jesus went to Egypt

What we learn from this

• Motives mean things- Herod did not have the Jewish people’s interest at heart

• God can use evil people to fulfill His will, even someone as wicked as Herod

• Romans 13:1-7. God establishes and appoints civil authorities. We may not like the leadership we have but God has a plan behind the way government operates.

• From Herod’s demise we learn that we get out of life what put into it.

What do we do with this

• Think about the people in your life who cause you pain and difficulty. What motivates them to be that way? How have you responded in the past. Love is a greater influence on others than fear and hatred. 1 John 4:18- There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. Ask God to help you develop love for those people and see how your relationships change.

• We need to be discerning in who we trust and follow. God has appointed our leaders but that does not mean we have to agree with them.

• We reap what we sow, but forgiveness and repentance change your future. It is never too late for love to lead you closer to God’s will for your life.

The conclusion

• Well, the music in the background means I have run out of things to say, but I’ll have more later.

• I hope this has been helpful. If so, give this podcast a high rating and share it with others.

• Join in the next episode when we talk about Anna and Simeon. They may have been two of the lesser known characters in the Christmas story, but their messages were meaningful.

• My prayer for you is that you will be sensitive to how God leads you to a greater life of love

• Have a blessed week

The disclaimers

• Just to let you know

• All opinions are my own. If you agree, keep listening. If you don’t… keep listening, you may learn something

• All Bible quotations come from the World English Bible which is a public domain work

• Our show theme song is “Awesome Call” by Kevin MacLeod and is available under a Creative Commons license

• The content of this podcast is copyrighted 2024 by J. Brent Eaton

• This has been a Power Love and Miracles production

The Herod Family in the New Testament


1. Herod the Great

  • Role: King of Judea (37–4 BCE), appointed by Rome.

  • Key Characteristics:

    • Known for massive building projects, including the expansion of the Second Temple.

    • Ruthlessly ambitious; murdered several family members, including his wife and sons.

  • Biblical References:

    • Sought to kill the infant Jesus by ordering the Massacre of the Innocents (Matthew 2:1-18).

    • His death marked a pivotal moment for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, allowing their return from Egypt (Matthew 2:19-21).

  • Key Lesson: Represents the destructive nature of worldly power and opposition to God’s will.


2. Herod Archelaus

  • Role: Ethnarch of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea (4 BCE–6 CE).

  • Key Characteristics:

    • Notoriously brutal and ineffective as a ruler.

    • Deposed by Rome and replaced with Roman governors, including Pontius Pilate.

  • Biblical References:

    • Joseph avoided settling in Judea upon returning from Egypt due to Archelaus’ rule (Matthew 2:22).

  • Key Lesson: Demonstrates how poor leadership can destabilize a nation and impact God's plans.


3. Herod Antipas

  • Role: Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea (4 BCE–39 CE).

  • Key Characteristics:

    • Known for his moral failings, including his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife.

    • Played significant roles in the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus.

  • Biblical References:

    • Arrested and executed John the Baptist at the request of Herodias and her daughter (Mark 6:14-29).

    • Mocked Jesus during His trial before sending Him back to Pilate (Luke 23:6-12).

  • Key Lesson: Symbolizes moral weakness, political expediency, and rejection of prophetic truth.


4. Herod Philip I

  • Role: Son of Herod the Great; not a ruler.

  • Key Characteristics:

    • Married Herodias, who later left him for Herod Antipas.

  • Biblical References:

    • Mentioned indirectly in the context of Herodias’ marriage (Mark 6:17).

  • Key Lesson: Reflects the intertwined personal and political relationships of the Herodian family.


5. Herod Philip II

  • Role: Tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis (4 BCE–34 CE).

  • Key Characteristics:

    • A relatively peaceful and fair ruler.

    • Known for rebuilding Caesarea Philippi and naming it after himself.

  • Biblical References:

    • His rule is mentioned as part of the political context of John the Baptist’s ministry (Luke 3:1).

  • Key Lesson: Contrasts with other Herods as a ruler with fewer recorded conflicts.


6. Herod Agrippa I

  • Role: King of Judea (41–44 CE).

  • Key Characteristics:

    • Popular with the Jewish population but hostile to the early church.

    • Known for persecuting Christians, including the apostles.

  • Biblical References:

    • Executed James, the brother of John, and arrested Peter (Acts 12:1-3).

    • Died suddenly, struck by an angel for failing to give glory to God (Acts 12:20-23).

  • Key Lesson: Illustrates the danger of arrogance and opposing God’s people.


7. Herod Agrippa II

  • Role: Son of Agrippa I, ruler of northern territories (54–c. 93 CE).

  • Key Characteristics:

    • Known for his knowledge of Jewish customs and Roman politics.

    • Presided over Paul’s defense alongside his sister Bernice.

  • Biblical References:

    • Paul presented his case before Agrippa II, who famously said, “Almost you persuade me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28).

  • Key Lesson: Represents the tension between curiosity about the Gospel and unwillingness to commit to Christ.


Conclusion

  • Herod’s Lineage in the New Testament:

    • A dynasty marked by political ambition, moral corruption, and hostility toward God’s work.

  • Contrasts with Jesus:

    • Herodian rulers embodied earthly power, while Jesus exemplified humility and divine authority.

  • Personal Reflection:

    • Encourages believers to choose God’s kingdom over worldly influence.

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