The New Testament mentions several different Herods from Matthew 1 to Acts 26: Herod the Great was “king of the Jews” at Jesus’ birth and tried to have Him killed (Matthew 2). Herod Antipas was king during the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus. Antipas had John executed (Mark 6) and later declined to pass judgment on Jesus, sending Him back to Pilate (Luke 23:7–12). In Acts 4:27, Herod Antipas (simply called Herod) is mentioned as one of those guilty of the crucifixion of Jesus. Acts 12 speaks of Herod as a persecutor of the apostles, but this is a different Herod—Herod Agrippa I.
We explore the life of Herod Agrippa I and his untimely death. And we consider lessons that we can learn from his tragic tale. Additional scriptures referenced include Acts 12:1-12, 18-25; Proverbs 18:12; James 3:1; Deuteronomy 8:18; James 1:17; and John 15:5.
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