Herod the Great

the king of Judea

Who was Herod the Great?

He was king of Judea when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Matthew 2:1; Luke 1:5
When the magi asked about the newborn king of the Jews, he was greatly troubled. Matthew 2:2-3
He searched for the child to kill him, and so Joseph fled to Egypt with Jesus and Mary. Matthew 2:13-14

The name: It comes from Greek and is related to the word “hero.” Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Herod”
Occupation: King of Judea Luke 1:5; Matthew 2:1

What the Bible says

Matthew 2:1; Luke 1:5

When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.

Matthew 2:2-3

²Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him. ³And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Matthew 2:13-14

¹³And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him. ¹⁴Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod:

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Herod the Great

Before Jesus. He was king of Judea when John the Baptist and Jesus were born. Luke 1:5; Matthew 2:1
With Jesus. Magi came to Jerusalem asking about the newborn king of the Jews. Herod was greatly troubled. Matthew 2:1-3
With Jesus. He asked the chief priests and the scribes where the Messiah was to be born. Matthew 2:4-6
With Jesus. He called the magi in secret and sent them to Bethlehem. He asked them to bring him word, so he could go and do him homage too. Matthew 2:7-8
With Jesus. In a dream, the magi were warned not to go back to Herod. Matthew 2:12
With Jesus. An angel warned Joseph that Herod was searching for the child to kill him. Joseph fled to Egypt with Jesus and Mary. Matthew 2:13-14
With Jesus. Herod saw that the magi had deceived him, and he was furious. He ordered the killing of the boys in Bethlehem and the area around it, two years old and under. Matthew 2:16
Afterward. Herod died. Then an angel told Joseph he could return with the child. Matthew 2:19-20

Words of Herod the Great

“Go and diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore him.” Matthew 2:8

To the magi, when he sent them to Bethlehem.

What they were like

He was troubled when he heard that the king of the Jews had been born. Matthew 2:3
He acted in secret: he called the magi to meet him alone. Matthew 2:7
He was furious when he saw the magi had deceived him. Matthew 2:16

Not to be confused with

He was a son of Herod the Great and ruled Galilee. He had John the Baptist killed and saw Jesus during the Passion. Luke 3:1; Mark 6:16-17; Luke 23:7, 11
He was a grandson of Herod the Great. He had James, the brother of John, killed and put Peter in prison. Acts 12:1-4; Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Herod”
He was a son of Herod the Great and ruled Judea after him. Joseph was afraid of Archelaus, so he went to Galilee. Matthew 2:22

What people ask

How many Herods are in the Bible?

Several, all from the same family. Herod the Great is the one in the story of the magi. His son Herod Antipas is the one in the stories of John the Baptist and the Passion. Matthew 2:1; Mark 6:16-17; Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Herod”

How many children did Herod have killed?

The Bible does not say. The Catholic Encyclopedia quotes writers who think there may not have been many. Matthew 2:16; Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Herod”

Why doesn't the historian Josephus tell this story?

Josephus relied on a friend of Herod who wrote his life. The Catholic Encyclopedia says the event fits what is known about Herod. Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Herod”

When did Herod reign?

According to the NAB note, from 37 to 4 B.C. Matthew tells us Jesus was born before Herod died. Matthew 2:1, 19; NAB note on Mt 2, 1

Who are the Holy Innocents?

The children of Bethlehem whom Herod had killed. The Church celebrates them on December 28. Matthew 2:16; General Roman Calendar

What he did He told the magi he wanted to worship the child, but he was looking for him to kill him. Matthew 2:8, 13 He ordered the little boys…

The rest of this page (daily life, failings, little-known facts, for you…) is part of the subscription.

See the map

Who Herod the Great is connected to

Jesus · sought to kill him
Joseph · made him flee to Egypt

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

See Herod the Great on the map