I Introduction

Much is known about Herod the Great in history, yet he is only scarcely mentioned in the New
Testament. The focus of this study will be grounded in Matthews Gospel to discover who Herod
was. Furthermore, because the Bible speaks so little of Herod, it will be necessary at times to
consult outside reliable sources that give further insight into his life and character. The Gospel
of Matthew and historical sources show Herod the Great as a competent and ruthless ruler, yet
one whom God used to play an important role in redemptive history as his actions helped fulfill
Messianic prophecies. Herods life points modern readers to Jesus as the true and better king of
Gods people, and motivates them to examine their own response to him as Messiah.

II. Herod the Great
1. Birth
2. Family background
3. Motivation
4. Meaning of his name
5. Appointed Governor of Galilee

III. King of the Jews
1. So how did this man get to be King of the Jews?
2. Roman Civil war
3. Hasmonean family.
4. Exterminating the remaining member of the Hasmonean family, including his wife
Mariamne.
5. Appointed King

IV Achievements
1. He rebuilt Samaria and renamed it Sabaste.
2. He rebuilt Strabos tower, on the Mediterranean coast, and turned it into the port of
Caesarea.
3. He built the Antonine fortress in Jerusalem.
4. He built a palace for himself on the Western wall of the City.
5. Early in 19 BC he began his great building work: the reconstruction of the Temple.
V Cruel and suspicious
1. Herods cruel personality
2. Herod in the gospel of Matthew
3. Birth of the King of the Jews
4. Deceiving the wise men
5. Matthew 2:17-18 says that Jeremiah 31:15
6. Rejecting the Messiah
VI Final days
Herods reign ended in terror:
1. He destroyed the Essene monastery at Qumran.
2. He burned alive two popular rabbis who had opposed him, along with their followers.
3. He killed his two sons.
4. Herods Death
VII Conclusion
Herod fell drastically short of what a true king of Israel should have been. In rejecting Jesus as
King and Messiah, he proved himself a false king. This rejection was also a rebellion against
Gods plan of salvation for Israel corporately and himself personally. Still, God planned Herods
failures for good, in order that Jesus the Messiah might fulfill Scripture and ultimately be the true
and better Israel as well as her true and better King.


















Bibliography

1. Bruce, F. F. New Testament History. Atlanta: Galilee / Doubleday, 1980.
2. Carson, D.A., and Douglas J. Moo. An Introduction to the New Testament. 2nd ed. Grand
Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2005.
3. Josephus. Complete Works. Translated by William Whiston. Grand Rapids, Mich.:
Kregel Publ., 1978.
4. Lea, Thomas D., and David Alan Black. The New Testament: Its Background and
Message. 2nd ed. Nashville, Tenn.: B&H Academic, 2003.
5. Myers, Allen C., John W. Simpson, Philip A. Frank, Timothy P. Jenney, and Ralph W.
Vunderink, eds. The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary. 1st Pbk. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
1996.
6. Scott, J. Julius, Jr. Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker
Academic, 2000.
7. Smith, Stelman, and Judson Cornwall. The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names. North
Brunswick, NJ.: Bridge Logos, 2009.