Herod, a name associated with several rulers during the time of the New Testament, is often depicted as a figure who experienced temporal happiness and power despite his wickedness. The Herodian dynasty, known for its political cunning and ruthless ambition, played a significant role in the history of Judea and the early Christian narrative.

Herod the Great

Herod the Great, the most prominent of the Herods, reigned as king of Judea from 37 to 4 BC. He is infamous for his role in the Massacre of the Innocents, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. Herod, upon hearing from the Magi about the birth of the "king of the Jews," ordered the slaughter of all male infants in Bethlehem in an attempt to eliminate the threat to his throne (Matthew 2:16). Despite this heinous act, Herod enjoyed a prosperous reign, marked by grand architectural projects, including the expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. His reign was characterized by political stability and economic prosperity, which he maintained through alliances with the Roman Empire.

Herod Antipas

Herod Antipas, a son of Herod the Great, ruled as tetrarch of Galilee and Perea from 4 BC to AD 39. He is best known for his role in the execution of John the Baptist. John had publicly criticized Herod for his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother's wife. Herod, though initially reluctant, was manipulated into beheading John to fulfill a promise made during a banquet (Mark 6:17-28). Herod Antipas also encountered Jesus, expressing curiosity about Him and hoping to witness a miracle (Luke 23:8). Despite his moral failings, Herod Antipas enjoyed a life of luxury and influence, hosting lavish banquets and maintaining a significant degree of power under Roman oversight.

Herod Agrippa I

Herod Agrippa I, a grandson of Herod the Great, ruled as king of Judea from AD 41 to 44. He is noted for his persecution of the early Church, including the execution of the Apostle James and the imprisonment of Peter (Acts 12:1-4). Agrippa's reign was marked by favor with the Roman authorities, and he was celebrated by the people of Tyre and Sidon, who hailed him as a god. However, his life ended abruptly when he was struck down by an angel of the Lord for not giving glory to God, dying a painful death (Acts 12:21-23).

Herod Agrippa II

Herod Agrippa II, the son of Herod Agrippa I, ruled over various territories and was the last of the Herodian dynasty. He is known for his interaction with the Apostle Paul, who defended his faith before Agrippa and Festus (Acts 25:13-26:32). Agrippa, though intrigued by Paul's testimony, remained unconvinced and continued to live in relative comfort and authority under Roman patronage.

The Herods, despite their wickedness and opposition to God's purposes, experienced temporal happiness and power. Their lives serve as a reminder of the fleeting nature of worldly success and the ultimate accountability before God.Acts 12:21-23
And on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne, and made an oration to them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

How Herod Sent his Sons to Rome; How Also He was Accused by ...
... skillful guides, and put a stop to their wicked robberies, and ... This man once saw
Herod when he was a child ... for thou wilt excel all men in happiness, and obtain ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 how herod sent.htm

Bourdaloue -- the Passion of Christ
... and mocked in the palace of Herod by impious ... but wicked priests; and that among the
wicked priests, those ... not only of the prosperity and happiness, but what is ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/bourdaloue the passion of.htm

The Brazen Serpent.
... godly people thought the permanent glory and happiness of men ... not on a throne set
up in Herod's palace. ... and becoming the friend of forsaken and wicked men, and ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/viii the brazen serpent.htm

Ephesians iv. 1, 2
... How great a happiness, how high an honor, how illustrious a distinction! ... So that,
had this man been as wicked as Herod, he would have slain Paul, as Herod ...
/.../homily viii ephesians iv 1.htm

From the Fourth to the Seventh Commandment
... if our parents or superiors, being wicked, bid us ... Our Lord was falsely accused before
Herod and Pilate ... those things that bring worldly pleasure and happiness. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 33 from the fourth.htm

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Consolation in Suffering, and Patience ...
... 1 Corinthians 15, 41), yet all will share the same eternal happiness and joy; there ...
It begrudges to wicked characters like Judas, Pilate, Herod, Annas and ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/fourth sunday after trinity consolation.htm

Letter Xliv Concerning the Maccabees but to whom Written is ...
... That which the unrighteous and wicked persecuted was not so ... But it was because John
reproached Herod because of ... respecting this, and had the happiness to be ...
/.../letter xliv concerning the maccabees.htm

The Third Season
... of promise; and an eternity of happiness in the ... while prosperity and impunity slay
the wicked, even slaying ... have plotted its ruin; that a Herod has stretched ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/iii the third season.htm

The Controversy Ended.
... Herod, who slew the innocent children of Bethlehem that he ... I have exchanged peace,
happiness, and honor, for ... As if entranced, the wicked have looked upon the ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /42 the controversy ended.htm

Paul Before Festus and Agrippa.
... from conscience, which sometimes arrests the wicked man in ... was first married to her
uncle Herod, king of ... himself, began by expressing his happiness in being ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxviii paul before festus.htm

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