Thoughts for the Day

Now Herod the ruler heard about all that had taken place, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had arisen. Herod said, ‘John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?’ And he tried to see him.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Let's look at two of the kings called Herod today, because they often get confused:

• Herod Antipater ('the Great'): He was of Arab extraction whose father had converted to Judaism. He inherited Roman citizenship, and was appointed as a puppet king of Judea. He built fortresses, splendid cities, aqueducts, theatres and other public spaces. It was he who built the Second Temple that Jesus used. Rome continued to increase the size of his kingdom. Ultimately he killed many of his own family, and the story of the killing of the children in Bethlehem when Jesus was a baby would certainly fit this pattern.
• Herod Antipas: He was the son of Herod 'the Great', and was to inherit Perea and Galilee a part of his father's kingdom, while his brother Herod Archelaus took over Judea, Samaria, and Idumea, and Philip II the northern regions beyond Galilee. Herod Antipas was known for his cunning and sometimes ruthless leadership. This is the Herod who divorced his wife to marry Herodias the former wife of his half brother. When John the Baptist reproached him he was goaded by his wife to put him in prison, and when Herodias' daughter Salome asked for the Baptist's head in return for dancing at his birthday feast he reluctantly agreed. Ultimately he was to be exiled to Gaul, where he died.

So it is Herod Antipas that Jesus calls 'that fox' (Luke 13.31-32), and it is Herod Antipas in today's reading who becomes aware of the growing popularity and influence of Jesus of Nazareth. He begins to fear that John the Baptist has returned from the dead to haunt him for his wicked deed. It was also to Herod Antipas that Pilate would send Jesus after his arrest as he came from Herod's territory of Galilee. Herod was keen to see Jesus carry out some kind of miracle but when this didn't happen, and unwilling to pass judgement, he sent him back to Pilate. It was Herod Antipas who sent the Son of God to the Roman Procurator, for judgement and execution.

Lord Jesus Christ,
when You lived on earth
members of the Herodian family
were never far from You,
seeking to destroy You
as a baby and then as a man.
Their followers did all they could
to disrupt your ministry
yet ultimately they failed
preferring to listen to the evil one
rather than God's voice.
We thank You that You trusted
Your Father to the end
and made the ultimate sacrifice
to offer us a place in paradise.
Amen