Topical Bible: Anger: Sinful: Herod

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Herod, a name associated with several rulers during the time of the New Testament, is often depicted as a figure whose sinful anger led to grievous actions. The Herodian dynasty, known for its political cunning and ruthless governance, provides several instances where anger, unchecked by righteousness, resulted in sin.

Herod the Great

Herod the Great, the ruler of Judea at the time of Jesus' birth, is perhaps most infamously known for the Massacre of the Innocents. Upon hearing from the Magi that a new "king of the Jews" had been born, Herod's anger and jealousy were kindled. In a furious attempt to eliminate any threat to his throne, he ordered the slaughter of all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem and its vicinity. This act of rage is recorded in Matthew 2:16: "When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi" . Herod's anger, driven by fear and paranoia, led to a heinous sin against innocent lives.

Herod Antipas

Herod Antipas, another ruler from the Herodian line, is known for his role in the execution of John the Baptist. John had openly criticized Herod for his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother's wife. Herodias harbored a grudge against John and sought his death. Herod, though initially reluctant, was eventually swayed by Herodias' manipulation and his own pride. During a banquet, Herodias' daughter, Salome, danced for Herod, pleasing him greatly. In a moment of rashness, Herod promised her anything she desired. Prompted by her mother, she requested the head of John the Baptist. Despite his distress, Herod's anger and desire to save face before his guests led him to comply. Mark 6:26-27 recounts: "The king was consumed with regret, but because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her. So without delay, the king commanded that John’s head be brought in" . Herod's sinful anger, coupled with his pride, resulted in the unjust execution of a righteous man.

Herod Agrippa I

Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great, also exhibited sinful anger. In Acts 12, Agrippa's persecution of the early church is highlighted. He arrested and executed James, the brother of John, and when he saw that this pleased the Jewish leaders, he proceeded to arrest Peter as well. Agrippa's actions were driven by a desire to maintain favor with the Jewish populace, and his anger against the burgeoning Christian movement led to further sin. Acts 12:1-3 states: "About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. And seeing that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread" . Herod's anger, fueled by political ambition, resulted in persecution and violence against the early Christians.

In each of these instances, the Herodian rulers allowed their anger to manifest in sinful actions, demonstrating the destructive power of unchecked wrath. Their accounts serve as cautionary tales within the biblical narrative, illustrating the moral and spiritual dangers of allowing anger to govern one's decisions.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 2:16
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Jesus Defends Healing a Withered Hand on the Sabbath.
... was at Sepphoris, which was then capital of Herod Antipas ... Righteous anger rises from
the love of God and man ... that which rises from self-love is sinful], he saith ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxix jesus defends healing a.htm

The King's Courts
... him, denouncing him before his court, the fire of anger burnt fiercely ... How many men
are like Herod! ... of their sin, that unholy passion, that sinful habit, that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/x the kings courts.htm

From the Fourth to the Seventh Commandment
... Our Lord was falsely accused before Herod and Pilate ... Thus persons who indulge in
sinful habits may ... forbids all willful murder, fighting, anger, hatred, revenge ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 33 from the fourth.htm

Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians.
... Clamor, forbidden, [181]123; is the vehicle of anger, a special fault ... Habit, one
sinful one may ruin us, [314]68; evil ones must ... Herod, judgment upon, [323]90. ...
/.../homilies on galatians and ephesians.htm

The Mystery of Iniquity
... to David, to Malachi, to Herod the Great, a faithless and stubborn generation, a
"sinful nation, a ... forbearance, and, of consequence, anger, strife, contention ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 61 the mystery of.htm

B. The Second Stages. Chs. 13:22 to 17:10
... to leave Galilee and Perea, the realm of Herod, not because ... Supper, by which he
illustrated the sinful folly of ... welcomed to the home he was filled with anger. ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/b the second stages chs.htm

A Jealous God
... in an evil manner, but it is not in itself necessarily sinful. ... of lords, lest we
provoke a jealous God to anger. ... The worms which ate Herod when he gave not God ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/a jealous god.htm

Number one Thousand; Or, "Bread Enough and to Spare"
... dead aroused him; the visions of his sinful trance all ... lavish love upon the guilty
who deserved his anger. ... you think of his scourging before Herod and Pilate? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/number one thousand or bread.htm

Hatred Without Cause
... consequently there was nothing to excite men's anger on that ... to death, and sin did
out-Herod Herod when it ... Never does sin appear so exceedingly sinful as when ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/hatred without cause.htm

The Fourth Season,
... evil of suffering; but as this sinful fear has ... It was guilty Herod cried out, "John
Baptist is ... into spiritual channels; to turn natural anger into spiritual ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/iv the fourth season.htm