Herod the Great
The ruthless king of Judea who rebuilt the temple, and tried to destroy the newborn King.
New Testament · 37–4 BC · Matthew, Luke · Also known as King Herod, Herod the king
About Herod the Great
Herod ruled Judea for Rome when "wise men from the east" came to Jerusalem asking, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." "When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." He sent the wise men to Bethlehem: "bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also." Warned in a dream, they went home another way, and Joseph fled to Egypt with Jesus. Furious, Herod ordered the killing of Bethlehem’s young boys. When Herod died, an angel told Joseph, "they are dead which sought the young child’s life."
This guide speaks about Herod, not as him, out of care. Herod was a brilliant builder: he rebuilt the temple on a grand scale, and built Masada and the port of Caesarea. He was also notoriously suspicious, and killed several of his own family. He died around 4 BC, so Jesus was born a few years "before Christ" by our calendar.
The story
In the days of Herod the king
"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."
Matthew 2:1-2
He was troubled
"When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." He learned from the priests that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem, and told the wise men, "Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also."
Matthew 2:3-8
Another way
The wise men found Jesus and worshipped him, "And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way." An angel warned Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and the child.
Matthew 2:9-15
They are dead which sought the young child’s life
"But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life."
Matthew 2:19-21
Key moments
- King of Judea: "In the days of Herod, the king of Judaea." (Luke 1:5)
- Visited by wise men: "He was troubled." (Matthew 2:3)
- Seeks the child: "Bring me word again." (Matthew 2:8)
- The killing at Bethlehem: "From two years old and under." (Matthew 2:16)
- Dies: Joseph brings Jesus home. (Matthew 2:19-20)
Questions about Herod the Great
Why did Herod want to kill Jesus?
The wise men asked for one "born King of the Jews." Herod had been given that title by Rome and guarded it ruthlessly. "He was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." He pretended he wanted to "worship him also," but planned to destroy a rival king. Ironically, Jesus’ kingdom was "not of this world," and was no threat to Herod’s throne, only to his pride.
What was Herod known for in history?
Building and brutality. He rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem so grandly that in Jesus’ day people said, "Forty and six years was this temple in building." He built fortresses like Masada and the harbour city of Caesarea. He was also deeply suspicious, executing a wife and several sons he feared were plotting against him. The killing at Bethlehem fits what history records of him.
Why does Herod’s death help date Jesus’ birth?
Jesus was born "in the days of Herod the king," and Herod died while Jesus was still young. Historians date Herod’s death to around 4 BC, so Jesus was probably born around 6 to 4 BC. The calendar dividing BC and AD was worked out centuries later, and its maker was a few years off.
Connected people
- Jesus: Tried to destroy him
- The wise men: Questioned them
- Joseph of Nazareth: Fled from him
- Herod Antipas: Son
- Zechariah: Lived in his days
Read it yourself
Start with Matthew 2.