Herod Ἡρώδης
Tetrarch of Galilee during Jesus' ministry.
Who is Herod in the Bible?
Herod Antipas was the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea during Jesus' ministry and the son of Herod the Great. He is primarily remembered in the Gospels for imprisoning and executing John the Baptist, whom he beheaded after his stepdaughter danced for him and requested John's head as a reward, prompted by Herod's wife Herodias (Matthew 14:3-11, Mark 6:17-29, Luke 3:19-20). When Herod heard reports of Jesus' miracles and teachings, he became troubled and mistakenly believed that Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead (Matthew 14:1-2, Mark 6:14-16, Luke 9:7-9). During Jesus' trial, Pontius Pilate sent Jesus to Herod for judgment, and though Herod found no fault in Jesus, he mocked him and sent him back to Pilate (Luke 23:7-15). Herod Antipas represents the corrupt political power of his time and serves as a cautionary figure whose desire to please others led him to commit grave sin.
Biography
Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great and ruled as tetrarch of Galilee and Perea during the time of Jesus' ministry. He is mentioned in the Gospels in connection with the imprisonment and execution of John the Baptist (Mat.14.3,6; Mrk.6.17-29; Luk.3.19-20). Herod Antipas had married Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, which John the Baptist condemned as unlawful. In retaliation, Herodias's daughter danced for Herod Antipas and requested the head of John the Baptist as a reward. Herod, though reluctant, fulfilled her request and had John beheaded. During Jesus' ministry, Herod Antipas heard about Jesus' miracles and teachings and was perplexed, thinking that John the Baptist had risen from the dead (Mat.14.1-2; Mrk.6.14-16; Luk.9.7-9). Later, during Jesus' trial, Pontius Pilate sent Jesus to Herod Antipas, who was in Jerusalem at the time (Luk.23.7-12). Herod Antipas questioned Jesus, hoping to see a miracle, but Jesus remained silent. Herod and his soldiers mocked Jesus, dressed him in an elegant robe, and sent him back to Pilate. This encounter between Herod Antipas and Jesus is unique to the Gospel of Luke.
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In Scripture
4 biblical books ; 4 with study contentMatthew 3 verses
- Matthew 14:1
"At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus"
Study Matthew → - Matthew 14:3
"Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,"
Study Matthew → - Matthew 14:6
"On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod"
Study Matthew →
Mark 5 verses
- Mark 6:14
"Now King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”"
Study Mark → - Mark 6:16
"But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead!”"
Study Mark → - Mark 6:17
"For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married."
Study Mark → - Mark 6:18
"For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!”"
Study Mark → - Mark 6:20
"because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed; yet he listened to him gladly."
Study Mark →
Luke 5 verses
- Luke 3:1
"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,"
Study Luke → - Luke 3:19
"But when he rebuked Herod the tetrarch regarding his brother’s wife Herodias and all the evils he had done,"
Study Luke → - Luke 8:3
"Joanna the wife of Herod’s household manager Chuza, Susanna, and many others. These women were ministering to them out of their own means."
Study Luke → - Luke 9:7
"When Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, he was perplexed. For some were saying that John had risen from the dead,"
Study Luke → - Luke 9:9
"“I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this man I hear such things about?” And he kept trying to see Jesus."
Study Luke →
Acts 2 verses
- Acts 4:27
"In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed."
Study Acts → - Acts 13:1
"Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul."
Study Acts →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Ἡρώδης | Hērṓdēs | heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings |