WHO WAS HEROD THE GREAT & THE HERODIANS

HEROD THE GREAT & THE HERODIANS
by Vaughn Wood

Major Contributions to the History of Judaism and the Jews:

Historically, Herod the Great brought stability and prosperity to the region by building a friendship and healthy alliance with Rome. Herod the Greats cooperation with Rome’s efforts in the region acted as a liaison between the Jews and Rome. The planning, building and naming of the city, Caesarea, near Jerusalem were an example of such an alliance and friendship. This bridge of friendship historically kept the Jews subject to Roman appointed authority, persecution and hardship. This was exemplified in the slaughter of infant males at the time of Christ’s birth. Herod the Great contributed greatly by rebuilding and restoring much of the aging and war-torn temple in Jerusalem. Although his work on the temple featured Hellenistic themes, it stood as the center of Jewish worship until A.D. 70 when it was destroyed by Rome. The temple construction through the years drew attention and interest in Judaism. Many religious and politically based sects grew in these years into major powers of influence, such as the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes and the Herodians. Both the Sadducees and the Herodians supported the dynasty of Herod the Great. The Herodians more than likely organized as a political party under the rule of Herod Antipas (grandson of Herod the Great), which would account for their strong presence in Galilee during Jesus’ ministry. It is assumed that the Pharisees teamed up with the Herodians, who were supporters of Roman rule and reign, to attempt to trap Jesus and his followers. We find them in Mark 3, 12 and Matthew 22 working with the Pharisees using Jewish and Roman law ordinances concerning the Sabbath and taxation requirements to corner Christ and find reason to arrest him.
It is very difficult to find any noteworthy activity in Israel from 37 B.C. to A.D. 70 that Herod the Great and his progeny had not influenced or affected in some way or another.

Main Failures of Herod the Great & the Herodians:

Perhaps Herod the Greats worst failure was that of his personal and family life. He had some of his own children and wives killed. He imprisoned and tortured others. Most of these outbursts of harsh retaliation were driven by his own paranoia of those close to him being suspect of treachery. Much of this mayhem led to his ultimate failure and demise of dying an insane, sick man.
The Herodians worse mistakes and failings could be summed up in the phrase, “guilty by association.” Their association and allegiance to Herod’s dynasty came to nothing after the revolt in A.D. 70. Their association with the Pharisees in Scripture attempting to be rid of Christ, came to nothing after the resurrection, ascension and birth of the New Testament Church.

Sources:
Black, Thomas D. Lea and David Alan. The New Testament: Its Background and Message. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003.

J. Julius Scott, Jr. Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1995.

Barker, Glenn W. and William L. Lane and J. Ramsey Michaels. The New Testament Speaks. New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1969