All throughout the New Testament the Herod family is involved and even shapes much of what happens. Who were they and how messed up were they?
1) The Hasmoneans, Idumea, and Rome (140 – 37 BC)
a) The Herods were Idumean (Edomites / Nabateans)
b) They were converted Jews
c) Practiced Judaism including dietary laws, etc.
d) They were politically aligned with Rome through Antipater I
e) Practiced arranged Uncle / Niece marriages (Roman)
f) Conducted arena games (Greek)
2) Antipater I the Idumean (Ruled in 40BC – Died in 43BC)
3) Herod the Great (37BC – 4BC) Matt 2:1-22, Luke 1:5 (Jesus’ Birth and Wise Men)
4) Antipas (4BC – 39AD) (Luke 23:7) Married Hernias
a) Matthew 14:1-12 – Philip 1, Herodias, Herod, and John the Baptist
b) Mark 8:15 – Leaven of Herod is a double life
c) Luke 9:7-9 – Herod wants to meet Jesus
d) Luke 13:31-32 – Jesus is warned by the Pharisees of Herod
e) Luke 23:7-15 – Herod meets Jesus, mends ties with Pilate
f) Exiled and died (unknown causes) due to nephew Agrippa I’s treachery
5) Philip I (Son of Herod)
a) Matt 14:3, Mark 6:17
b) Also married Herodias and had Salome (Matt 14:6-11, Mark 6:22-28)
6) Archelaus (Matt 2:22)
7) Philip (Luke 3:1) via Cleopatra. Marries Salome
8) Aristobulus
9) Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1-4,23)
10) Herod Agrippa II (Acts 25:13-27)
a) Hears Pauls testimony with Wife / Sister Bernice and Felix
b) Friend of Josephus
11) Felix (Acts 24:24)