In the story
- Another way home Matthew 2:12–13
- By night to Egypt Matthew 2:14–15
- Home to Nazareth Matthew 2:19–23
At a glance
- In Malayalam
- ഹെരോദാവ്
- What the name means
- “Heroic”
- In the readings
- 1 Sunday, 27 December 2026
- Gospel passages
- Matthew 2:9–15, 19–23
Name meanings and role notes are drafted with each edition and waiting for review by a priest or editor.
The life of Herod the Great
Herod the Great, king of Judea under Rome when Jesus was born. A great builder who rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem, he was also ruthless, and Matthew tells how he ordered the killing of the infant boys of Bethlehem.
- Born
- About 73 BC, of an Idumean family HistoryJosephus
- Died
- At Jericho in 4 BC, after which Joseph brought the Holy Family back from Egypt HistoryMatthew 2:19; Josephus, Antiquities 17.8
- Family
- Sons: Archelaus ScriptureMatthew 2:22
- Sons: Herod Antipas and Philip, later rulers in Galilee and the north ScriptureLuke 3:1
Named king of Judea by the Roman Senate in 40 BC, he took Jerusalem in 37 BC.
HistoryJosephus, Antiquities 14He began rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem, work still going on in Jesus’ time.
HistoryJohn 2:20; Josephus, Antiquities 15.11Troubled by the wise men’s question about a newborn king, he asks where the Christ is to be born.
ScriptureMatthew 2:1–8Deceived by the wise men, he orders the killing of all boys two years old and under in Bethlehem.
ScriptureMatthew 2:16–18He also put to death members of his own family, including his wife Mariamne and three of his sons.
HistoryJosephus, Antiquities 15–17
Remembered in the Church year
- Massacre of the Infants27 December
Read it in the Bible
- Matthew 2 The wise men and the flight into Egypt
Sources: The Holy Bible (World English Bible); Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 14–17.
Drafted from the Bible and Church tradition. Each line says where it comes from; anything marked Tradition or History is not in Scripture itself. Waiting for review by a priest or editor.
Sundays with Herod the Great
First Sunday after Christmas
Gospel: Matthew 2:9–15, 19–23
King of Judea under Rome, known for killing anyone he saw as a threat.
Also in these readings
About the icon
The Massacre of the Innocents, Ionian icon. 17th century. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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