A Tale of Two Herods

   We all know of Herod and what a key role he played in the life of Jesus. But, did you know that there was more than one Herod who had a significant impact on Jesus’ life?

   Until I began my dive into the history of Christianity, I did not.  I simply assumed that Herod was Herod…that the Herod who appeared throughout Jesus’ time on Earth was just one Herod.

   History acknowledges that there were two Herods surrounding the life of Jesus. Controversy creeps in between historians and theologians regarding a date, or  rather a specific year…4 BC. More on that later.

   These two Herods were related…father and son. The father was Herod the Great. The son was Herod Antipas.

   Herod the Great was a man who lived in 2 worlds. A Jew by birth, he was a Roman by choice.

   Born in southern Judea around 74 BC, he was appointed governor of Galilee at age 25.  A few years later, around 40 BC, his uncle was overthrown as governor of Jerusalem. Herod went to Rome to plead with the Senate to depose the usurper.

   One of his father’s long time friends and allies was Marc Antony…yes, that Marc Antony…of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra fame. Antony pled Herod’s case before the Roman Senate and got their approval. Herod was appointed as the King of the Jews. He reigned over Judea until his death in 4 BC.

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