History doth not shine favorably upon Herod I, a.k.a. Herod the Great, because, well, he was a real bag of dongles. Reigning over Jerusalem (under the protection of the Romans), Herod built some incredible buildings, including the Second Temple, which you’d think was a great accomplishment and people would love him for it. He was an ambassador and protector of the Jewish people in the greater Greek and Roman culture, and he led a very lush and glamorous royal life – and who doesn’t love a Royal?
“It’s better to be Herod’s pig than his son.”
Maybe Herod did some great things for the city and the protection of his people. But he was ruthless, paranoid, and did not hesitate to end anyone he suspected of taking his place.
Known Kill Count –
- 37 B.C. – Executed his predecessor (Mattathias Antigonus) and 45 of his party.
- 35 B.C. – Drowned his 18 year old brother-in-law, the High Priest Aristobulus (thought the Romans liked him too much).
- 30 B.C. – Had John Hurcanus II strangled to death (suspected of insurrection plot).
- 29 B.C. – Wife executed (Miriamme…loved her, but trust issues).
- 28 B.C. – Mother-in-Law executed (Alexandra).
- 7 B.C. – Strangled two sons to death – Alexander and Aristobulus.
- 7 B.C. – Executed 300 military leaders.
- 7 B.C. – Bunch of Pharisees killed because they predicted Herod’s reign would end.
- 5 days before his own death – killed his oldest son, Antipater.
The Gospel of Matthew records an incident called “The Slaughter of the Innocents,” where Herod ordered the execution of all boys two and under in Bethlehem, after hearing the Magi’s prediction that the new king of the Jews had been born there. Historians believe there were about 300 people total living in Bethlehem at the time, assuming there to be less than 10 children under two years old that would have been killed by Herod’s death soldiers. There remains some debate over the historicity of this incident, with no real extra-biblical evidence that it really happened. But it reads true to Herod’s decades long streak of paranoid murders. If the Slaughter of the Innocents really did happen, it would have been one of his final acts of violence, as Herod died very shortly after Jesus was born.
For many of us, Herod represents a very real type of power that continues to threaten innocents and intrigue those drawn to that power. His story in the Gospel of Matthew is brief and violent, and stands in direct contrast to the birth, life, and death of Jesus. I am growing weary of so many Christians who would rather be enchanted by what modern Herods can get them. Modern Herods can get you Supreme Court Justices. Modern Herods can make you “great” again. Modern Herods can tell you what you want to hear so they can keep their power. But that’s all it ever is about to them: getting the power, and keeping the power.
Okay, that’s enough history and serious content for an otherwise very silly comic. Happy New Year, fam!