FAMILY PROFILE ~ The Legacy of the Herods: Generations of Hardened Hearts |
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Herod the Great
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After Jesus was born in
Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magia from
the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been
born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to
worship him.” "When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.
“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has
written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means
least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who
will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’ |
Herod's son, Herod Antipas |
King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some
were saying, a “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and
that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” ... But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!” For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.... On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” ... She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered. At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head.... (Mark 6:14-28) |
Herod' grandson, Herod Agrippa 1 who was given his grandfather's whole kingdom |
...King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also.... After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.... ...there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there... (Acts 12:1-5, 18-19) On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God continued to increase and spread. (Acts 12:21-24) |
Drusilla
(daughter
of Agrippa) |
Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. (Ac 24:24-26) |
Herod 1's great-grandson Herod Agrippa 2
and
Bernice
Great-grand-daughter
of Herod 1 |
...King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to
Festus. Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed
Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left
as a prisoner. .... The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high ranking officers and the leading men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. (Acts 25:13-14, 23)
Then Agrippa
said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”
So Paul
motioned with his hand and began his defense: “King Agrippa, I
consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my
defense against all the accusations of the Jews, and especially so
because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and
controversies....
“The Jews all know the way I have lived
ever since I was a child.... They have known me for a long time and
can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest
sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee. And now it is because
of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on
trial today. This
is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they
earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this
hope that the Jews are accusing me. Why should any of you consider
it incredible that God raises the dead?
“I too was
convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the
name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in
Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of
the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my
vote against them.
Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them
punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme....
“On one of these
journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission
of the chief priests. About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I
saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me
and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice
saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?...
“Then I asked,
‘Who are you, Lord?’
“‘I am
Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied.
16
‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have
appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what
you have seen of me and what I will show you. I will rescue you from
your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them
to
open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the
power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins
and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
“So
then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.
... I preached that they should repent and turn to God....That is
why the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me....
At
this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of
your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you
insane.”
“I
am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am
saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these
things, and I can speak freely to him.... King Agrippa, do you
believe the prophets? I know you do.”
Then Agrippa
said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can
persuade me to be a Christian?”
Paul
replied, “Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all
who are listening to me today may become what I am..."
(Ac 26:1-29)
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