Herod the Great ruled over Judea when Jesus was born (see: Matthew 2:1-19; Luke 1:5). Herod was born in the land called Idumea. He was a descendant of the people of Edom. Herod was raised as a Jew because his ancestors had become Jews. The Roman emperor Caesar Augustus made Herod king over Judea.
Herod the Great was known for the buildings he built. He also made the Jewish temple in Jerusalem larger. It was called Herod’s temple. It was larger than the first temple Solomon built. The Romans destroyed the buildings and the temple when the Jews rebelled against the Romans after Jesus died.
Herod the Great was very cruel and he killed many people. He even killed some of his own family. Herod killed all the boys in Bethlehem under two years of age when he heard that the “king of the Jews” was born there (see: Matthew 2:2-3; 16-18).
Herod the Great’s sons Archelaus, Herod Antipas, and Herod Philip became rulers. His grandson Herod Agrippa I and great-grandson Herod Agrippa II also became rulers.
Archelaus ruled over Judea after Herod the Great died (see: Matthew 2:19-22). He also ruled over Samaria and Idumea. He ruled for ten years.
Herod Antipas ruled over Galilee after Herod the Great died. He reigned when John the Baptist and Jesus served God by teaching other people. Herod Antipas married Herodias, the wife of his brother Herod Philip. He put John the Baptist in prison because John the Baptist told him he was wrong to marry her and to do other evil things (see: Luke 3:19-20). Later, Herod Antipas killed John the Baptist (see: Matthew 14:5-12). Herod Antipas thought Jesus was John the Baptist who became alive again (see: Matthew 14:1-2; see also Luke 9:7-9).
Jesus warned his disciples not to trust or listen to Herod (see: Mark 8:15). Some Pharisees warned Jesus that Herod Antipas wanted to kill Jesus (see: Luke 13:31). Pilate sent Jesus to Herod Antipas during Jesus’ trial (see: Luke 23:7; Acts 4:27). Herod Antipas and his soldiers mocked and mistreated Jesus (see: Luke 23:11).
Herod Agrippa I was the king of Judea. He ruled about 10 years after Jesus died when the church was growing. He put Christians in prison (see: Acts 12:1-3). An angel of the Lord killed Herod Agrippa I because Herod Agrippa I was proud and would not praise God (see: Acts 12:20-23).
Herod Agrippa II was a king. He was the last of Herod the Great’s descendants to be king. He ruled when Paul was on trial (see: Acts 25:13, 23-26). Bernice was his sister (see: Acts 25:13). Paul told King Agrippa about Jesus (see: Acts 26:22-29).
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